Robert A. Reese, Sr.

Robert A. Reese, Sr., 94, of Clearwater, Florida, passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at his son's home in Homosassa, Florida. A native of Black Mountain, North Carolina, he was born March 18, 1923 to Benjamin Franklin and Carrie (Marrow) Reese. Robert served his country proudly and honorably during WWII from 1943 to 1946, serving in enemy territory in Europe and engaging in at least two battles. He attended college at Western Carolina University and earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. He was a Clearwater resident for over 70 years and was the owner and operator of Robert A. Reese Plumbing in Clearwater for over 60 years. Robert is survived by six children: Robert Reese, Jr. (wife Joy), Homosassa, FL; Philip Reese, Clearwater, FL; David Reese (wife Jana), Ludington, MI; Tracy Reese and Barry Reese (wife Margee), both of Sarasota, FL and John Reese (wife Leanne), Hattiesburg, MS; son-in-law Bill Hudler, Lawrenceville, GA; brother Cecil Reese and sister Margery Charles, both of Homosassa, FL; brother Oliver Reese, Phoenix, AZ and brother Daniel Reese, Black Mountain, NC; fifteen grandchildren and many great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his wife Helen Elizabeth "Libby" Warren, the mother of his six sons; also his wife Harriet Bowen Reese, the mother of his daughter Martha Hudler, who also preceded him in death, as well as siblings Sadie Tillis, Ben Reese, Jr., Cornelia Milhelm, Wayne Reese, Valeria Charles, Charles Reese and Edward Reese. Friends will be received on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida, where a celebration of life will commence at 11:30 AM with Andy Green officiating. Military Honors will follow at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida at 1:30 P.M. with the Patriot Guard Riders providing motorcycle escort and the Florida Army National Guard and American Legion Post #155 rendering military honors. Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida. www.wilderfuneral.com