Reid, Margaret Ann "Susie" Wills (Mrs. William J.)
10/25/1996
| Susie Reid, Margaret Ann Wills, was born in Lancaster, Texas, February 26, 1912. She graduated from Lancaster High School and entered Southern Methodist University in 1929. There she majored in music and honed her skills as a violinist. In 1931 she married William J. (Bill) Reid of Bonham, Texas, and they began their long life together, nearly 60 years, by first serving the Methodist Church in Lexington, Oklahoma. Susie returned with Bill to SMU; she to study home economics, he to complete his theology degree. They served churches in Texas and then Louisiana. While in Rayville, World War II began and Susie supported Bill’s service as chaplain with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. During Bill’s absence, Susie kept the children in her hometown of Lancaster, Texas, until after the war’s conclusion. From 1945 until the Korean War, Bill and Susie served the Methodist Church in various cities in Arkansas and Louisiana. While serving in DeRidder, Bill was recalled to active duty. Susie took the younger children to Denison, Texas until they joined Bill in Okinawa. She continued to follow Bill’s tours of duty, maintaining the family structure through assignments in Texas, Louisiana, and France, after which they returned to the Louisiana Conference. Susie performed many roles throughout the years – minister’s wife, mother, choir member, organist, teacher and violinist. She performed for weddings and special events as a soloist, and as a member of professional and amateur musical groups. When Bill retired in 1973, he and Susie settled in Mountain Home, Arkansas to enjoy gardening, church work and their family. In 1989, Susie and Bill moved to San Antonio, Texas where Susie pursued her lifelong interest in music by attending the rich musical events available in that area and by joining Air Force Village’s “Ye Olde Chimers,” a popular hand bell choir. After a short illness, Susie ended her earthly stay on October 25, 1996. She is buried along with Bill at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. She is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. |
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| Source: Journal Louisiana Conference, 1997; p. 269 By Marisu Reid Fenton | |
