William "Bill" Logan Reiss

William Logan Reiss “Bill,” age 74, of Searcy, AR, formerly of Hot Springs, AR, and Urbana, IL, passed away on October 28, 2024, with his beloved wife and children at his side. Bill was the son of Harold Leroy, Jr. and Geraldine Hedrick Reiss of Urbana, IL. He grew up in Homer and Urbana, IL, and attended the University of Illinois, where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He worked as an Industrial Engineer for Weyerhaeuser in Hot Springs, AR, and later for the City of Hot Springs. Bill cherished his time as a young boy in Homer, visiting his grandparents’ movie theater, where he developed a life-long love of movies. His favorites were “A Christmas Carol” (only Alastair Sim version!) and “Harvey,” featuring one of his favorite actors, Jimmy Stewart. Bill had an extensive knowledge of how lots of things work and was a steadfast problem-solver (with the solutions often featuring duct tape). Bill also was as sentimental and nostalgic as they come, loving people and animals to the fullest. He appreciated a good conversation. He never met a stranger and was fabulous at remembering details and following up with his friends, giving cherished nicknames to all of those close to him. He grew up fishing alongside his grandpa, and this developed into a life-long love of sports. Bill was a huge fan of the Fighting Illini, the Razorbacks, the Phillies, and the White Sox. He even got the chance to attend the 100-year anniversary of Illini football with his son and grandson–just nine days before his passing. Bill loved Jesus and faithfully attended worship with believers every Sunday and Wednesday night. He served as deacon for many years at his church in Hot Springs, and he instilled in his children and grandchildren a strong faith and obedience to Jesus’ teachings. In living his own faith, Bill’s children and grandchildren were the recipients of his detailed and never-ending attention, sacrifice, and care. He put aside his professional career to allow his children to remain in their school and community in Hot Springs and encouraged them to develop their academic and athletic careers. His frugality helped his family survive with less than most, but never lacking what they needed. He never missed a ballgame, practice, recital, or any of his children or grandchildren’s events. His children will always remember being by his side watching old movies (of which he had an encyclopedic memory), listening to music during road trips, and reading newspapers. He LOVED the Beatles, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the Moody Blues, Bob Dylan, and the list goes on. He also read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” every Christmas Eve to his children and grandchildren. Bill is preceded in death by his father and mother, his first wife Mary Grothe Reiss of Rantoul, IL, his grandparents Logan and Clara Fitzgerald Hedrick and Harold and Dorothy Carpenter Reiss, his brothers-in-law Lynn Fenter, Jim Pate, David West, Randy Williamson, in-laws Raymond and ElNora Grothe and William Cole and Thelma West. Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Ruth (West) Reiss, his daughter Susan René Wicks of Searcy, his daughter Becca (Spencer) Ross of Searcy, his son Matthew Logan (Katy) Reiss of Bryant, his six grandchildren, Phin Wicks, Atti Wicks, Elliana Ross, Pearl Ross, Astoria Ross, and Isaac Logan Reiss. Bill is also survived by his siblings, Marsha Fenter of Urbana, IL, Susan (Chuck) Patterson of Nampa, ID, and Kenny (Laura) Reiss of Sidney, IL. Bill also leaves behind dear sisters and brothers-in-law, Sue Pate, Darlene (Terrell) Milks, Dollie (Dale) Randall, Buddy (Cathy) West, Martha Williamson, Tom Hays, Billy Grothe and numerous nieces and nephews and many loyal friends from childhood and through all walks of his life.

William "Bill" Logan Reiss

September 23, 1950 - October 28, 2024