Billy Ray Reed

Billy Ray Reed, known to his friends and family as Bill, was born May 25, 1937 in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. He was the son of Nelis and Ethel (York) Reed. Bill was raised and attended school in Keystone, graduating from Keystone High School in 1954. Although proficient in many building skills including mechanical, welding and construction, Bill considered himself a farmer. He owned and operated dairy farms in Illinois and Missouri and loved working the land. He also enjoyed cattle ranching and was involved in the construction of his own homes and family member homes. He was also a custom cabinet maker; however his true calling was taught to him at an early age by family working on the farm near Keystone. Bill was married to Jo Ellen (Owen) Stewart on January 12, 2001 and they have made their home together near Mannford for the past nine years. Bill passed away on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at his home near Mannford after recently undergoing open heart surgery. He is survived by his wife, Jo Ellen of the home, two daughters and their husbands, Debbie and Randy Ball of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Dawn and Terry Walker of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; two step-children, Charles ìBuckî and his wife, Mary Stewart of Edmond, Oklahoma and Michelle Ezell of Las Vegas, Nevada; six grandchildren, Brandi Ball of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Kristen Ball Kendrick of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Mikeal Ray Ball of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Leslie Hager Caldwell of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Justin Ray ìJRî Hager of Owasso, Oklahoma and Cameron Walker of Searcy, Arkansas; four great-grandchildren, Carson, Kaylee, Colton Kendrick and Jayci Kaye Caldwell; four step-grandchildren, Tara Ezell of Las Vegas, Nevada, Traci Ezell of North Carolina, Kimberly Stewart of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Chuck Stewart of Edmond, Oklahoma; three brothers, William Jackson ìJackî and his wife, Jean Reed of Neosho, Missouri, Bobby Leon and his wife, Marilyn Reed of Bristow, Oklahoma and Ronny Gale Reed of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; two sisters, Patricia Ann and her husband, Bobby Bledsoe of Grove, Oklahoma and Linda Lou Reed Gordon of Acworth, Georgia; and brother-in-laws, Ray Jones of Mannford, Oklahoma and his wife, Betty, Gordon Owen of Mannford, OK, and Kenneth Owen of Leesburg, Virginia . Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Joyce Oline Jones. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Scott Keele officiating. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Chapman-Black Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider a memorial donation to the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (www.osugiving.com) or your favorite charity.