Ryan Reece

Waynesville, Wendal Ryan Reece, age 43, of Red Tail Drive, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 17, 2013 while on a golf trip with his friends in Georgia. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of Wilma Ingle Reece and the late Harold Reece. A 1988 graduate of Tuscola High School, he graduated from Western Carolina University attending on an athletic football scholarship during the Bob Waters era. He owned Reece Inc., a home inspection company. Ryan was an avid outdoorsman and a youth league basketball coach. Ryan made himself available to anyone who needed help and was also instrumental in arranging friend outings to golf, fish, and camp, and his cooking was enjoyed by all who knew him. He had traveled to Honduras on a mission trip through Waynesville First Baptist Church, where he was a member, and also served as chairman of the Ushers Program and chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife and best friend of 18 years, Paige Roberts Reece; three daughters (the loves of his life), Lydia Reece and twins, Kelly and Shelby Reece; two sisters, Kelly Davis and her husband, Randy, of Weaverville and Becky Reece of Asheville; two brothers, David Reece and his wife, Shera, of Black Mountain and twin brother, Randy Reece, of Asheville; father and mother-in-law, Tom and Sandra Roberts, of Clyde; sister-in-law, Robyn Duncan and her husband, Ted, of Bryson City; brother-in-law, Todd Roberts and his wife, Emily, of Morristown, Tennessee; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was also blessed in his life to have his companion dogs, Montana and Zoe, and also his band of brothers (and they know who they are). A celebration of Ryan's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at Waynesville First Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Robert Prince and Reverend Dan Smith, officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Serving as pallbearers will be Greg West, Bob Burgin, Gregg McConnell, Mike Conard, Randy Reece, Shannon Presnell, Scotty Schulhofer, Terry Green, Chris Williams, and Russell Dalley. Ryan was so many things to so many people and he was so good to "pay it forward." He would want all of us left in this life to be comforted knowing that he is with his Lord. Memorials may be made to Waynesville First Baptist Church Youth Program or Sanctuary Renovation Fund, P.O. Box 690, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Haywood Street Congregation, 297 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801.

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