Willis Lee Reed, 88, of Beaumont, died Saturday, December 11, 2010.
Willis was born April 21, 1922, in Nome, Texas to Mamie A. Anselin and Joe S. Reed. After moving from Houston, the family relocated to Beaumont when he was in the 8th grade. After graduating from Beaumont High School in 1940, Willis began his life long career in the oil business with Sun Oil. In support of the country's involvement in World War II, Willis worked in the Bethlehem Shipyards building destroyers for the war effort. In the early 1950's, he founded Reed Distributing Company which specialized in the wholesale distribution of gasoline and oil products throughout Southeast Texas for the next half century.
In addition to his business pursuits, Willis was actively involved in the community. He was a member of the Beaumont Lions Club and the City Planning and Zoning Committee. Willis was also a charter member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. As a long time member in the YMBL Club, he served in numerous positions and on various committees including the Fair Chairman of the 1966 South Texas State Fair as well as Key Men president. He was also a member of the Lamar University Cardinal Club where he sponsored a golf scholarship for a number of years. Willis was an avid supporter of Texas A&M University and active member of the Beaumont A&M Club.
He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Central America, Asia and several Caribbean Islands. Willis enjoyed good food and Aggie football game weekends in College Station. He was a great storyteller and loved spending time with friends and family.
Willis is survived by his wife, Patsy Reed of Beaumont; son, Dan Reed and his wife Billie of Winnie; daughter, Deborah Weitzel and her husband John of Beaumont; step-children, Jason Mills and his wife Shannon of The Woodlands, Alan Mills and his wife Judy, Jim Mills and his wife Robbin all of Sugarland; Charlie Mills of Bulverde and Stacie Mills of Newport, Rhode Island; grandchildren, Leigh Rea and her husband Jacob, Ann Redden and her husband Randy, Heath Pellegrin and his wife Jaelyn, Eileen Malain and her husband Jim, Grayson Mills, Jackson Mills, Megan Mills, Caitlin Mills, Austin Mills, Bob Mills, John Mills, Catherine Moses and her husband David, Wesley Mills and Emma Mills; and five great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and one sister.
A gathering of friends and family will be held from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A graveside service will be officiated by Reverend John Howard Reed at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Beaumont A&M Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 12161, Beaumont, Texas 77726.
