Wilfred Reist

Wilfred (Bill) G. Reist, beloved husband, father, and WWII combat veteran, passed peacefully away at the age of 92 Monday, January 30, 2017 at his home with his children by his bedside. Bill was born August 27, 1924, in Seneca, Kansas to parents Fred Reist and Mary Humm Reist.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Betty, sisters Elinor Stepan, Leola Farwell, his identical twin Willis D. Reist and niece Roberta Farwell.

Bill is survived by his children Timothy Lee and Steven Ray Reist of San Antonio, and daughter Pamela Sue Lieck (Hugh) of Kingsville. He is also survived by sister Arlene Bates, brother Rex Reist (Mary), and sister Mary Louise Morris. Other survivors include many nieces, nephews and cousins.

After graduating from high school Bill worked with his father on the family farm. Two years later he was drafted into the army and proudly served with the 102nd Infantry during WWII in Germany. He was in combat on the front line from December 5, 1944 until end of hostilities. He then was part of the occupation forces for about a year after the war ended.

Bill returned home and to his father's dismay went to college and earned his degree in Agriculture Mechanics using the GI Bill to pay his way. His father had a change of heart and proudly attended his graduation from Kansas State University.

During his first year as an Ag-Mech teacher, Bill met the love of his life, Betty Lee Martin. They were married June 8, 1952. Bill worked as a county agent, salesman, wrote labels for pesticides and herbicides, and finally went to work for the USDA as a border inspector in Brownsville, Texas in January 1970. He retired January 1998 at the age of 73. The following years were filled with honey do's and enjoying retirement.

Bill and Betty went to reunions of the 102nd Infantry for many years. Each year they were held in different cities and states in the country and Betty called it the reunion of the Old Soldiers. The year the WWII Memorial was dedicated and opened the 102nd Infantry held the reunion in Washington DC. Bill was President of the reunion that year.

Bill and Betty moved to Kingsville in December 2013 to be closer to their children.

Bill's children want to thank Altus Hospice and River City Home Care for taking such loving care of their father in his final days. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11am at First United Methodist Church, Kingsville, Texas with full military honors. A second Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church at 1pm in Brownsville, again with full military honors at the cemetery after the service.

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas.

Visitation