Bill Reed

Bill Reed, 76, died Sunday, October 5, 2014 at Abilene Regional Center in Abilene. Bill Reed grew up in the northern Panhandle of Texas in the town of Borger, where he was born. His parents were Joe and Elma Reed. Bill’s father, known as Papa Joe, was a local butcher who later became a Wholesale Beer Distributor in 1952 selling brands such as Falstaff, Schlitz, Pearl, and various other beer brands. In 1956 Bill graduated Borger High School where he met his high school sweetheart, Shirley Tidwell, whom he eventually married. They were married on July 19, 1957 in Borger where they began a family of 3 children, 2 daughters, Julie and Judy, and a son, Joe. He grew up as the eldest of 3 brothers, Dale Reed of Waco and Vance Reed of Amarillo. All three sons worked for Papa Joe and the beer business at one time or another, and all three ended up owning and operating their own Texas beer distributorships- in Abilene (Bill Reed Distributing Company), in Amarillo (Great Western Distributing Company, and in Waco (Brazos Valley Distributing Company). Bill gained his business experience working for Papa Joe in 1958 and he began his career when the Coors Brewing Company began expanding into North and West Texas in 1965. Bill was awarded the distributorship in Stamford and served a rural 10-county area with one building, one employee, one old truck, and one big dream of building a successful and community oriented business. Over the next 15 years, he and his team built the business and market share that at one time reached over 52%. Bill moved the distributorship to Abilene, Texas in 1980 after voters decided to allow beer sales in Taylor County where he was one of 5 beer distributors competing for thirsty new customers. Over the next 30 years Bill Reed Distributing Company purchased 3 of those distributorships including Miller Brewing Company brands just a few years ago and now is one of only two remaining beer distributors in the area. Bill’s philosophy is now and has always been to provide quality brands through superior service and has always maintained a passion for the beer business and for the community in which he lived. Bill has been in the business of selling Coors beers for the past 56 years and had always been thankful for the growth of this business. He has tried to show that thanks by giving back to the area by supporting charitable and civic organizations such as serving as President of the Stamford Jaycees, as well as Officer on Texas Jaycees Board of Directors. He served as board member of the Stamford, Texas Chamber of Commerce, and was elected to the Stamford City Council. He had been a member of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce for the past 34 years and served on the Military Affairs Committee as council member and Honorary Base Commander at Dyess Air Force Base. Bill was a member of Wylie United Methodist Church in Abilene. Bill had also been instrumental as committee member and contributor of time and funding for programs such as the American Cancer Society, The American Heart Association, New Horizons Home for Children, The Noah Project, Love & Care Ministries, The Ben Richey Boys Ranch, and countless others. He has served his community well, but has also served his industry as President and lifelong member of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas. Their love for friends, family and their community has always been evident in the way they have operated their business and the way they have lived their lives. Bill is survived by his wife, Shirley Reed of Abilene; son Joe Reed of Albuquerque, NM; two daughters, Judy Hughes and husband Charles, and Julie Alejandro and husband Al, all of Abilene; two brothers, Dale Reed and wife Carolyn of Waco, and Vance Reed and wife Anita of Amarillo, one sister-in-law, Barbara Willis and husband Johnny of Brownfield, Texas; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren (and one on the way); and six nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, at Wylie United Methodist Church with Rev. Jeff Hatcher officiating, directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to New Horizons, 294 Medical Drive, Abilene, TX 79601, Wylie United Methodist Church, 4330 Antilley Rd., Abilene, TX 79606, or the donor’s favorite charity.