Graveside services were held Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, at Wheeler Cemetery in Bassfield,  for Mr. Joseph Willie “Joe Boy” Reese, 76, who died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at his residence. Rev. Henry Kelly officiated with Johnson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Jospeh Willie Reese was born to the late Willie (Bill) Reese and Rosanna Reese.  He was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, church treasurer and Sunday School director until his death.

Mr. Reese attended and graduated from Carver High School. He attended Alcorn State University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. He worked at Georgia Pacific Corporation for many years and retired as a Supervisor. He established the Joseph W. Reese Scholarship Fund in Jan. 2013, to reward and assist students who are seeking degrees in higher education at Historical Black Colleges and Universities.  He received a host of awards: ASU Faithful Service award in 1989, ASU Alumni Outstanding Award in 1991, Distinguished Alumni of the Year (NAFEO) in 1992, and National Baptist Publishing Board Christian Service Diploma in 1988. He was inducted into the Alcorn State University Hall of Honor in 1993. He served as president of the JDC Alcorn Alumni Chapter in 1980-1997. He is a member of the Natchez Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He has a life membership in the Alcorn State University National Alumni Association and the NAACP.

He was preceded in death by five siblings Percy Lee Reese, Ollie Mae Keys, Jerlydean Drummond, Williene Reese and Ira Reese.

He is survived by two brothers, Jimmy Lee Reese of New Orleans, Louisiana and Milton Reese of Bassfield; one sister, Verta Bell Reese of Bassfield; Dr. Kimberly Jackson of Phoenix City, Alabama; friends, Audrey Beck, Gentry Beck, Shi Baby Beck, Eric Thompson and Dr. Rukeyser Thompson, Amelia Thompson and Eric Thompson Jr. and many other relatives and friends.