Willard Thomas Reese

Madison - Willard Thomas Reese, ""Bill"" of Madison, WI, age 95, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2009. The fourth of seven children, he was born and raised on a farm near Mineral Point, WI. Bill graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture in 1937 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education and Animal Husbandry. He taught at Seymour, WI High School as a vocational agriculture instructor for ten years. The next seven years, he served as an On-the-Farm instructor for the Seymour public school system. Bill owned and operated Reese Dairy and Restaurant in Seymour, WI for 15 years. In 1962, Bill and his family moved to Madison where he worked for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection as director of the Bureau of Economics and Market Development for 19 years. After retirement from the Department of Agriculture, Bill, or ""WT"" as he was fondly called, became the Executive Director of the International Cheese and Deli Association, a position he held for almost 10 years.

Active in the community, W.T. served as president of the downtown Madison Kiwanis Club in 1978-79. He was a Kiwanis member for 60 years with 40 years of perfect attendance. In 1979-80, he served as Lt. Governor of the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Kiwanis Club. He was also a member of the Madison Shrine.

Other public service included participation in the Wisconsin Agricultural Leaders Goodwill delegation to Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union and a cheese study tour to New Zealand and Australia. Bill was also involved in the Wisconsin Food Expositions in Cologne, Germany, London, England and Tokyo, Japan and hosted two cheese industry study tours through Europe.

Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Madison, WI. He served as a volunteer for the Red Cross for many years and contributed countless hours volunteering for the Shrine and Kiwanis Club of Madison. Many remember him as a bell ringer at Christmas and selling brats at UW football games.

Bill loved fishing. He loved good cheese and a good glass of sherry. He was an honest and hard working man and was always willing to help others as evident by his volunteer service and large circle of friends. Bill was patient and kind to those around him and a true gentleman. An eternal optimist, his positive attitude and enthusiasm for life was contagious. Undoubtedly, Bill's greatest joy was his family. He was always happiest when he was surrounded by family.

Bill and his wife Letha had six children, a son and five daughters. He is survived by his son, James Reese of Texas, daughters Jan Montgomery of VA, Judy Schlueter of Madison, Sharyn Walker of VA, Sue Carlson of GA and Kathy Farr of IN, 5 grandsons, 5 granddaughters, 3 great grandsons and 6 great granddaughters as well as his sister, E. Mae Reese of Wauwatosa, WI.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Covenant Oaks at Oakwood West and the Hospice staff who lovingly gave our dad and our family support the past few months.

A Celebration of Bill's long life will be held on Saturday, August 8 at 2:00 pm in the Resurrection Chapel at Oakwood West, 6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Care Foundations (5395 East Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711) or The University of Wisconsin Foundation Bill Reese Dairy, Deli and Bakery Study Grant Fund (P.O. Box 8860, Madison, WI 53708-8860).