William W. Reed, 80, of West Des Moines, died of leukemia on December 23, 2006. Beloved husband of 57 years to Mary Vee Aldera, Bill was an inspiration to his family and a man of great love and spiritual strength.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Doug (Melia) of Houston, TX; daughter, Lorrie (Sid) of Ankeny, IA; a brother, Tom of Katy, TX and ten grandchildren.

An Iowan all his life, Bill was born October 14, 1926 to Sarah McGrane and Charles Reed. He spent his early years in Sioux City, before moving to Des Moines. He graduated from Dowling High School, Class of 1944, and attended Drake University before joining the Navy. He served during WWII on an LST in the South Pacific including time in the China Seas.

Bill began his career with Ruan Transport before taking a job with Look Magazine. Then, returning to trucking, he worked for Brady Motorfreight until he began his own petroleum hauling trucking company in 1972, which was eventually sold to the Krause Gentle Corporation.

Bill was active in the Iowa Motor Truck Association, serving for ten years on its board of directors. He also served on the City Council of Windsor Heights. He was a member of the Breakfast Club, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent DePaul, and became District Governor of the Serra Club, a Catholic organization devoted to encouraging vocations to the religious life.

Bill loved life, was a true "gentleman" in every sense, and cherished his family. He and Mary traveled extensively and had many friends. Thanks to their prayers and the great efforts of the fine doctors, he lived and died well. It’s impossible to capture in words the essence of such a wonderful man!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 7:30 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Parish Center.

Memorial contributions can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Hospice of Central Iowa.