Bill will be very missed by all of us. He was a wonderful loving, caring, gentle person whom we loved very much. We were very fortunate to have him in our lives and family for the years he was with us. He will always be remembered with great fondness.

 Posted by Jack & Marlene Cox - Rancho Mirage, CA May 16, 2005

Dear Betty, So sorry to hear of your loss.We know he is in a better place and all is well for him--but I am sure you will miss him dearly. You are in our prayers--- With love, Pat and Kenny Wenger

 Posted by Kenny & Pat Wenger - Osceola, IN May 17, 2005

It was an inspiration to attend Uncle Bill's funeral and to reflect on the Christ-like qualities of his life that impacted so many people. He had many physical struggles to overcome, but he maintained a joyful attitude that showed his gratefulness to God for life and the things he enjoyed. I never heard him complain. Uncle Bill lived his life with focus and intensity in whatever he did -- his work, hobbies, games, relationship to Jesus, and even his conversations. When talking to him I always felt his undivided focus on me and my interests. The verses at the end of his video were II Timothy 4:7&8. I kept thinking of those verses throughout the service because they are appropriate to describe the way Bill lived. He fought the good fight and finished well. Now he is healed and in the presence of his Lord Jesus.

 Posted by Julie Olin - Springfield, OH May 19, 2005

Betty- Much was said at the funeral that was so very true of Bill and much more could be said. I personally recall that, when we had not been together for awhile, he would greet me by saying "The Lord bless you." I have known many Godly people but I have seldom been greeted with a blessing. I know he meant it, too. Our family will miss him so much.

 Posted by Gary Olin - Springfield, OH May 19, 2005

Bill and I lived in Johnson Township, Laporte County, Indiana. We attended school together in the same class in Union Township because Johnson had no schools. We both graduated in 1944 and both went into the Army. I didn't see Bill again until our 40th Class Reunion. Bill and Betty visited with us in Texas and we got together at reunions and sent many e mails to each other in the past few years. At Union Township Bill and I collected stamps and traded with each other. We brought our roller skates to school because that was the only place with a concrete walk. The roads were gravel. We played baseball and basketball in high school and studied and had a very pleasant school experience. Bill was always pleasant with other people and tried to make a joke to make them laugh. Bill said that I knew him longer than any other person and I say that I never saw him be unpleasant with anyone. My wife and I Will miss him. Ken Wray

 Posted by Ken and Shirley Wray - Arlington, TX May 20, 2005

It was always a pleasure to talk to Bill about anything from cars and the Buick to old age and wheelchairs. We both enjoyed his friendship so very much.

 Posted by Wayne & Marian - Montrose, MI May 21, 2005

Bill and I worked at Studebaker together and took our apprenticeship at the same time. He was a skilled craftsman. Betty has my deepest sympathy.

 Posted by Charles Van Goey - Tierra Verde, FL May 22, 2005

Uncle Bill was a good man in every sense of the word. Our family was blessed to have such a decent, warm-hearted, generous and talented man among us. He laughed easily and treated everyone in the extended family with respect and interest. He was wonderful to Grandma Klein and she in turn spoke frequently about how fortunate she was to have such a wonderful son-in-law. I remember him as a significant part of our family traditions when I was a child and young adult and I'm grateful to him for the rich memories.

 Posted by Sharolyn Shearer - Portland, OR May 22, 2005

Bill was a dear and special friend of ours. We shared many happy times together in church, eating out together, talking about antiques, and playing Rook. Whenever we would see Bill his face would light up with a wonderful smile and he made us feel like he was glad to see us. We will miss him so much but we know he is rejoicing now with His Saviour and free from all pain.

 Posted by Robert & Christina Musclow - Flint, MI May 23, 2005

Dear Betty, We thank God for such a precious friend as Bill. Our memories of him will always be part of our lives. I think of the words of a song "Prescious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul." Bill has left behind a beautiful family and we know how proud he is of all of you. Bill has touched all of our lives in a special way and has made a great impact on the world. My memories of the chess games and shuffleboard in Florida and Arizona are wonderful memories. We've had so many wonderful times together. We thank God for how you two have blessed our lives with so much love and friendship. We will be praying for you and will continue to visit with you and want to be of help in any way we can. May God bless you and give you great comfort as only He can. We love you.
 With our love and prayers,
 Bob and Rita

 Posted by Bob and Rita Brawner - Flint, MI May 25, 2005

What a lovely way for those of us to share our thoughts and love. Do you remember when we were young and Bill was teaching you to drive? I can still here you say, I'm only going with him so I can learn to drive and I told you that you would wind up marrying him. What a wonderful life the two of you have shared. God has Bill in his arms now, all his pain is gone. I'm sure he is looking down at you with love and a smile on his face and telling you that he loves you very much and to think of him with happiness in your heart that he is well and while your heart is breaking now he'll want you to try and smile and only think of all the good times you have shared.
 We love you and think of you often. May God wrap his arms around you and wipe away your tears.
 Love you, Dave and Merrus

 Posted by Dave & Merrus Irwin - South Bend, IN May 26, 2005

Dad is sorely missed by all of us that knew him. When growing-up in South Bend, we went to church together and I got to drive part-way home sitting on my Dad's lap, worked in the yard together, played ping-pong together, played catch for pitching practice for my Little League ballgame together, and upon occasion went fishing together. In Flint, upon occasion, we worked on Dad's car together, worked on household projects together, worked on Mom's Christmas present together, worked in the yard together, shoveled snow together with and without the tractor with a snow blade, worked in the lamp shop together me assisting Dad and giving him further ideas, and playing ping-pong together before the lamp shop got too big--Dad almost always won the ping-pong games, Polio and all. In Grandville, we went to church together with Mom and Lyn, we worked in the lamp shop together alot during our vacation trips back East and ran the table saw together cutting wood for his paneled wall, played card games including hand & foot Mom and I vs. Dad and Lyn, and Dad and I played/shot pool in the Senior Community Centers together with Dad hanging firmly onto the pool table rail to get around the table. We talked on the phone together discussing "what is new" since we last talked. I miss you, Dad. Love, John

 Posted by William John Reading, Jr. - Sun City West, AZ June 03, 2005

What a honor to have such a sweet and loving man such as Bill Reading for my father in law. I will always remember how he made me feel so welcome into your family. I will always remember how much he loved the Lord Jesus Christ and how forward he was looking to going to be with Him someday. I look forward to seeing dad again someday in Heaven but how I miss him now. I am not one to question God on why He called dad home when we weren't ready to say good bye. God must have needed dad to shine his light up in Heaven. I will always remember the fun times we had when we visited dad and mom. I was always dad's partner when we played games. Dad and I were so nice to John and mom and even allowed them to win a few times. Dad was always a fun person to be around and always let me know he loved me and appreciated me loving the Lord. Knowing that I will never answer the phone again and hear dad say "why hello Lyn" makes me feel sad. But I am thankful for each conversation we had which always ended with me saying "I love you, dad and dad saying "I love you, Lyn. Even though there is sadness in my heart that I will no longer hear his voice on this earth and will no longer see his big smile, I do rejoice that we will all be together again. I was in hopes that the Reading family would all be raptured together. But God has different plans. I love you, mom and pray for you often every day. John and I are miles away but we are always close in heart and are here for you in any way we can help you through this. Our home is always open to you.
 With love and prayers, Lyn

 Posted by Marilyn Lyn Reading - Sun City West, AZ June 03, 2005

My earliest memory of my father from childhood is of him patiently washing my long red hair and then combing out the tangles. This was done every Saturday night in preparation for Sunday morning church. I was so glad that my father was doing it because he combed carefully, which hurt less! As Father's Day approaches I think of the many holidays I celebrated with my father. I will miss him immensely this year, but I know I will see him again, for I do not grieve without hope I Th 4:13-18. Until then Dad-I love you.

 Posted by Sheryl Mercier - Byron Center, MI June 06, 2005

Dear Dad, You would be surprized and gleeful over the party we had for you. It was very sad for us, but you REALLY would have enjoyed yourself! A lot of people came to show their respect and share their memories of you. It was hilarious that everyone either spoke of your game playing or your lamp collection. People stood up to share about how you loved to play games and your sense of competitiveness. Everyone was nice. If I would have stood up and commented on this, I would have told the group that no one in your family would partner you except Mom and Aarongrandson. Mom, because she was your wife and had to, and Aaron...I don't know why! You were so DIFFICULT and obnoxious sometimes, that your family was glad to see you lose!! This sounds terrible, but you know how it was! Other people talked about your lamp collection. You have a beautiful collection. I know you were so proud. The Pastor talked as if your collecting was in the past; he didn't know how you've been sneaking lamps into the house. You were supposed to be selling the lamps; instead you were buying! Mom is thankful that you never quite got the hang of ebay! Dad, we were looking at old family movies. I saw you so young and strong. Remember during vacations how you used to stand on your hands on the diving board, deliberately support and balance yourself, then go head first into the water? Remember how I'd manage to find a lost dog, and you would drive the neighborhoods trying to locate the owner? When Pierre was lost in the snow storm, how you searched and searched for him? Then you and Mom brought Hansy home; there is a picture somewhere of you and Hans in the backyard. If I can't find the picture, I will always carry that as a snapshot in my head. You taught me to drive, you talked to me of life, and you gave me away to Joe. Through all of this, you were an important part of our lives. You're Dad. I hate to see you go. I love you and I never got to tell you that one last time. But I am happy that you are in Heaven, and I'll see you again. I love you. I miss you. You're the BEST Dad. Beth

 Posted by Beth Reading DeSilva - Tulsa, OK June 09, 2005

I remeber Dad as a really good Father. When I lost my own Dad, my Father-in-law was very close to me. I remember Dad being very humorous; he always had a big smile on his face. What I enjoyed the most about him, was how he got away from running small errands assigned to him by Mom. Betty, my Mother-in-law, would have a list of minor things to be done around the house to keep him active. When Mom asked Dad how much of the list he accomplished, the first thing Dad would do is put his hands to his ears and pretend that he didn't hear Mom, or he would say he had to tune up his hearing aid. Then when that failed, he would complain "Betty, I couldn't get this done cause I had pain in my side." By then, Mom gave up, which was what Dad wanted to accomplish!! I've tried the same tactics with my wife, but I get caught. Dad was the master. I already miss him very much. What a guy.

 Posted by Joe DeSilva - Tulsa, OK June 09, 2005

I just wanted to say I'll miss you Grandpa. You meant so much to me and you have influenced my life in innumerable ways. You showed me what a Christian man should be like.
 I'll miss your smile and when you picked up the phone with me on the other side and thought I was some kid trying to pull a prank. It was only after YELLING into the phone that you figured out who I was. I'll miss teaching you how to use the computer and having debates about the Patriot Act and the God-given right to bear arms. 
 I just want you to know that I love you. And remember, don't get too caught up in all of the gold streets and mansions, you have always longed to see His face. 
 Sleep well.

 Posted by Ian J. De Silva - Tulsa, OK June 09, 2005

Grandpa, I love you so much & miss you. We had a lot of fun together. I always will remember all the great things you did for me and everyone around you. From when I was a small child I can always remember me running ahead of you and complaining about how you were to slow for me and how you needed to learn how to walk faster. I didn't know what was wrong at the time but when I found out I felt stupid. I remember when I moved to Tulsa, you came upstairs to play ping-pong with me. I didn't think it was a good idea but you said you were good at ping-pong and you could beat me. Naturally I was up for the challenge. We got to about the middle of the game and you fell over backwards, I ran over to see if you were ok, and you were laughing because inspite of falling over you still got the point. And of course there were always the cards. You loved to play cards and we always played Hand & Foot even though you ALWAYS lost to me. : I Love You So Much

 Posted by Aaron J. De Silva - Tulsa, OK June 09, 2005

OBITUARY

William J. Reading

January 24, 1926 – May 10, 2005

Cook Funeral and Cremation Services

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