William "Bill" Eugene Reagin

William “Bill” Eugene Reagin passed away peacefully at home on December 15, 2022, in Des Moines, Iowa.

William was born in Conyers, Georgia on November 30, 1928, to Lemuel Lafayette Reagin and Lucille Mary Reagin. He was one of 10 children.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1949-1952 and proudly represented his country during the Korean war as an airplane mechanic. He later moved to Texas, where he met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Hamrick. They were married for 66 years and lived the majority of that time in Waco, Houston, and Porter, Texas, where they raised seven children - five daughters and two sons. He and Libby moved to Des Moines, Iowa, later in life, in 2020, where they truly experienced the four seasons for the first time.

William was a brick and stone mason by trade, a family trade shared by several of his brothers. One of his favorite pastimes was to load the kids in the car to drive around the city and point out his handiwork.

He was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He had a great sense of humor and lived a colorful life. His mechanical skills came in handy as he always kept several older vehicles that he would work on, with his sons. He could fix anything mechanically. He smoked an awesome brisket and made the best homemade beans. He was an avid sports fan – especially for his beloved Georgia teams including the Atlanta Braves and Falcons.

He loved music and had a beautiful singing voice. A long-time childhood friend noted they all thought he would become a singer, “with that voice and Bing Crosby smile.”

William was preceded in death by his parents, Lemuel and Lucille Reagin; siblings, Hubert Reagin, Mabel (Joseph) New, James “Morris” (Mary) Reagin, Mary “Louise” (Thomas “Pete”) Allen, Warren Reagin, Catherine (Tyrus) Kelley, Lewis (Joyce) Reagin, Evans (Eva “Pauline”) Reagin, Charles (Barbara) Reagin, and T. Rudolph Reagin; and daughter, Paula Janette Beetz.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Reagin; sibling, Janet Heffley; children, Ellen Hamilton (grandchildren - Keith Phillips, Michelle Hamilton, Allen Hamilton, Phillip Hamilton), Susan Reagin (grandchildren - Charisse Bankett, Donovan Bankett), Frank (Betty) Reagin (grandchildren – Jennifer (Farley) Whatley, Stephen Reagin), Lucy (Scott) Illingworth (grandchildren – Marie Cerda, Valerie (Joe) Johannsen), Thomas (Brandy) Reagin (grandchildren – Andrew Reagin, Matthew (Amanda) Reagin, Ashleigh Leazer, Cody (Stephanie) Donaldson, Sienna Reagin, Cory (Layne) Donaldson), Margot (Richard) Martinez (grandchildren - Chelsea (Caleb) Korenek, Lauren (Logan) Deems, Collin Martinez, Lindsay Martinez); and 14 great-grandchildren. We will miss him dearly.

Funeral services will be held on December 27, 2022 at 10:30 a.m., at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 19222 TX-249, Houston, TX 77070.

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