Bennie Boyd Reeves of Irrigon died on Oct. 27, 2017 in Kennewick, Wash. at the age of 91.
He was born on Jan. 30, 1926 in Galesburg, Ill. to Ernest Thomas and Florence Rachel Winder Reeves.
The family moved to Umatilla when he was 6 months old, and there he grew up in a loving family with an older brother, Harold, and four younger sisters, Dottie, Norma, Rita Jean, and Patsy. He attended Umatilla schools, graduating in 1944. He loved sports and would say that is what kept him in school.
Upon graduating, he reported for military service in the United States Navy in May 1944, serving two years and receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of Seaman First Class on May 19, 1946. During World War II, he was deployed to the Armed Guard Center (Pacific). He served on the SS Jack Stinger and the SS Coquille and was discharged from the Navy in Bremerton, Wash. He was the recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was married to Joyce Arlene Barnett from 1947 to 1967. They had two children, Sandi and Marlin. In 1968 he married Maxine Nielsen Reeves, who passed away in 2007. Maxine had four daughters, Carleen, Carmen, Lynn and Leslie, who became part of Bennie’s family.
Throughout his life, Bennie enjoyed gardening, woodworking, fishing, dancing and watching sports. He appreciated Native American culture and loved western movies. He never met a stranger and was known for his affectionate nature and his playful sense of humor. A hardworking man, he was employed at the Umatilla Army Depot, from where he retired after 30 years as a machinist. After enjoying retirement for a short time, he worked for Columbia Junior High in Irrigon until he decided to “really” retire. He was an active life VFW member, something he was always passionate about. He held offices, was in color guard, and participated in many activities.
He is survived by children, Marlin, Sandi, Carleen, Carmen, Lynn and Leslie; sisters, Norma and Rita Jean; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by parents, Ernest and Florence Reeves; brother, Harold Reeves; sisters, Dottie Stephens and Patsy Hutchinson; wife, Maxine (Nielsen); grandson, Steven Reeves; and great grandson, Austin Reeves.
A celebration of life service with military honors will be held on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel, Hermiston.
Those who wish may make contributions in Bennie’s memory to the VFW Avenue of Flags at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
