Billy Reis

Billy Wallace Reis, 54, of Clark, Mo., was called home to be with his heavenly Father and his Dad on Jan. 16, 2006, at his home.

He was born March 3, 1951, in Denison, Iowa, to Wallace Rollo Reis and Mary Kathryen Pelley Reis.

In 1955, he moved with his family to Whitefish. He attended primary schools and graduated from Whitefish High School in 1969. He was active in football and other sports and was in 4-H for many years. His childhood was spent helping run the family farm.

He continued his education in Moberly, Mo., by attending Central Christian College of the Bible and received his bachelor's in counseling in 1989. He also attended college at Columbia University to obtain his master's degree. He continued working as a pastor of the Christian faith, as a farmer and a "do everything guy." Whenever he had the time, you could find Billy in his boat with a fishing pole in his hand out to get "the big one."

On Jan. 18, 1974, he married Candace Barton. They were foster parents to many children for numerous years. From this marriage were born Shamaine Reis, of Washington, D.C., Beau Reis, of Kalispell, and Billie Reis, of Washington D.C.

On Oct. 29, 1994, he married the lady he was searching for, Betty Jane Cummings, of Clark, Mo., and she survives him at the family home in Clark.

Other survivors include his mother, Katie Wilson, of Columbia Falls; step-sons Kevin Barton and wife Nancy, of Clark, Clifford Barton and wife Barbara, of Mexico, Paul Shearin and his fiancee Jennifer, of Poplar Bluff; step-daughters Ruth Dixon and husband Dwight, of Higbee, Vicky Miley and husband Lindall, of Farmington, and Brittney Darlin and husband Kevin, of Poplar Bluff; sisters Linda Hoyt and husband Bill, of Whitefish, Becky Reed and husband Jerry, of Columbia Falls, and Barbara Raze and husband Dennis, of Kalispell; sisters-in-law and husbands Charlotte, Charlene, Alice and Sue; 22 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; uncles, aunts, cousins, three nephews, close Uncle Dude and Cousin Dudley Reis; and special friends Todd Reed and Gary Bailey.

Services were held Jan. 18, 2006, at the Million-Taylor Funeral Home in Moberly, Mo. Burial was at Chapel Grove Cemetery in Clark, Mo.