William Joseph Reich, 86, of Herculaneum died June 26, 2019, at his home. Mr. Reich was a retired chemical worker for Monsanto in St. Louis. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a member and past commander of VFW Post 3777 in Crystal City and a member of American Legion Post 253 in Festus. He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Crystal City and a former member of Assumption Catholic Church in Herculaneum. He was a member of the American Legion Patriot Singers and also sang locally with numerous barbershop quartet groups. Born July 25, 1932, in Crystal City, he was the son of the late Ellen (Drury) and Elmer Reich.
He is survived by his wife: Donna Jean (Erpenbach) Reich of Herculaneum; five sons: Robert (the late Kimberly Kay) Reich of Festus, Tom (Dawn) Reich of Houston, Texas, David (Rose) Reich of Kennesaw, Ga., Steve (Diana) Reich of Layton, Utah, and Mark (Steve) Reich of San Diego, Calif.; two daughters: Ellen (Terry) Boyer of Crystal City and Diane (the late Tye) Edwards of Festus; a son-in-law: Donald Nausley of Festus; considered as children: foreign exchange students Wananan Phualek of New York, NY, and Luckpong “Bass” Jantara of Thailand; a brother: Jim Reich USAF, Ret. of Festus; a sister: Nancy (the late Bud) LeFlore of North Carolina; 17 grandchildren: Danielle (Jason) Brewer, Donica (Bob) Wagner, Dara (AJ) Riney, Bobby (Brandi) Reich, Adrienne (Ryan) Jacquot, David (Jessica) Reich, Anothy (Julianca) Reich, Thomas (Leigh) Reich, Ashley Reich, Allison (Mike) DeTardo, Rachel Reich, Aaron (Shalie) Reich, Krysten (Ryan) Freund, Brittni (Alej Perez) Boyer, Army Sgt. 1st Class Tye (Kristy) Edwards, Michael (Brandy Mogus) Edwards and Brooke (John “Chris”) Cage; 13 great-grandchildren: Alex Hampton, Ethan Hampton, Karlie Usery, Hadyn Wagner, Paige Wagner, Jase Berry, Parker Jacquot, Quinn Jacquot, Jensen Jacquot, twins Mason and Paisley Reich, Easton Reich, John Samuel Reich, with another on the way; and one great-great-grandson: Hunter Kerbler.
He was preceded in death by a daughter: Denise Nausley; and a grandson: Ross Reich.
Visitation is from 3 p.m. until a funeral service at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by Deacon Jerry Stoverink. Burial will be in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral home.