Bill H Reid

Bill H. Reid, age 80, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed from this life Monday, September 14, 2020. He was born April 15, 1940, in Fort Smith, Ark., a son of the late L. Dean Reid and Ettena Maxine Hewett Reid. Bill married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Jimmie, on December 20, 1960. Bill and Jimmie raised four children; Heath, Mike, Phillip, and Christina, with love and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and savior. Throughout his life, Bill was a persistent positive influence not only for his family, but for all that met him. Bill received his bachelor's degree in engineering from Missouri School of Mines at Rolla and his master's degree in sanitary engineering from Georgia Tech. He served as an engineering director for 26 years with the U.S. Public Health Service and ultimately earned the rank of Captain. The U.S. awarded Bill the Outstanding Service Medal for his exceptional achievements in program development and administration, outstanding engineering contributions, and extraordinary service for providing water and sanitation to Native American tribes across the country. In his retirement, Bill and Jimmie enjoyed traveling the world. From their extensive windshield time in their RV's, getting their sea legs on cruises, to fighting through jet lag on overseas flights, they have seen 37 states and 15 countries. Their adventures always included family, good friends, good times, and often good bottles of wine. Preceding him in death are his sons, Heath, Mike; an infant child; and brothers, Jim Reid and Chuck Reid. Survivors are his wife, Jimmie Price Reid; a son, Phillip Reid (Melissa) of Springdale, Ark.; a daughter, Christina Stech (Brian) of Draper, Utah; a brother, Tom Reid (Carolyn) of Sapulpa, Okla.; a sister Anette Nix (DeWitt) of Eufaula, Okla.; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Visitation is from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 21, at First Baptist Church of Elkins. Private family committal service is in Fort Smith National Cemetery by Nelson Berna Funeral Home. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to First Baptist Church of Elkins, Building Fund, P.O. Box 765, Elkins, Ark., 72727, www.fbcelkins.com. To place an online tribute, visit www.nelsonberna.com