Reese served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1955 in Bryan, Texas. While living in Bryan, he and his cousin went to a dance at Bill Mraz in Houston, where he met the love of his life, Rita Magdalene Cejka. He would tell his children that he saw her on the side of the road picking cotton barefoot and he rescued her. He liked to joke like that. They were married in Hallettsville, Texas at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on August 7, 1954, and moved to Houston to work and raise a family.

Reese and his brother, William 'Oscar', opened a service station and mechanic shop. Originally the business was under Humble, which later became Enco, then an Exxon and finally a Conoco in Humble, Texas. They operated the station for over 40 years. Even though there were many days that he worked over 16 hours at the station, he never complained. During this time he also started a cattle operation in Hallettsville. He really enjoyed spending his days off working and improving the farm.

Reese never missed Sunday Mass, until he became too ill to attend. He would still enjoy watching it on TV and having the Eucharistic Minister come over. His favorite holidays were Easter and 4th of July, and that is when he loved to make barbeque. He would start early in the morning and brag about his secret barbeque sauce recipe. He loved fishing for flounder and yellow catfish, and he would always say, "They are the best eating!"

When he retired, instead of sitting on a rocking chair, he went and bought a second ranch in Hallettsville. He built a new house, planted pecan trees, tilled a plentiful garden for his grandkids, tended his cows, babied his bulls, fished and held many family gatherings. Reese especially enjoyed spending time with his wife, eating her cooking, polka dancing, and playing bingo.

Reese is survived by his loving wife, Rita of 58 years. He is also survived by his 7 children: Mary Okruhlik and her husband Ed of Katy, Jennifer Novak of Humble, Loretta Shurtleff and her husband Andy of Kingwood, Donna Altomari and her husband Joe of Houston, Darrell Wachel and his wife Mieko of Hallettsville, Debbie Sewell and her husband David of Kingwood, Rita Earle and her husband Pat of Joelton, TN; and his 13 grandchildren, Brent Novak and his wife Sheila of Houston, Laura Okruhlik of San Diego, Meghan Novak of Houston, Holly Okruhlik of Gonzales, Rita Okruhlik of Houston, Ashley Wachel of Kerrville, Layton Shurtleff of Eugene, OR, Jessica Sewell of Oxford, MS, Hilary Shurtleff of Austin, Zach Okruhlik of Austin, Emily Sewell of Denton, Reese Wachel of Hallettsville, and Jackson Earle of Joelton, TN. Reese is also survived by his brothers, Marion Wachel of Jacinto City, and Roland "Butch" Wachel of Temple; his sister, Alyne Stilley of Killeen; and his sister-in-law, Betty Wachel of Bremond.

Reese was preceded in death by his parents Victoria and Peter Wachel; and his brothers, Kie Wachel, Floyd Wachel, William Wachel, and Leonard Wachel.

The family would like to thank his health care providers and for the love and support from family and friends.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Monday, Apr. 22, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 6 pm, Sunday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiate: Msgr. John Peters. Pallbearers: Zack Okruhlik, Brent Novak, Reese Wachel, Andy Shurtleff, William Wachel, and Greg Wachel. Honorary Pallbearers: Mike Wachel, Laura Okruhlik, Pat and Jackson Earle, and Layton Shurteff. Memorials (in Lieu of Flowers): Sacred Heart Church or Sacred Heart School. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.