William (Bill) Donald Reth Jr.

William (Bill) Donald Reth Jr., age 64, passed away on July 12, 2023 at his home in Glenville, WV after a long battle with leukemia. Bill was born on April 27, 1959 in Baltimore, MD to William Donald and Asako Reth, both deceased. He is also preceded in death by niece, Stephanie Reth, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Bill graduated from Lansdowne High School in Baltimore County in 1977. Early employment included working as a truck loader for UPS and as a cook at several restaurants where he developed his culinary skills. He enjoyed and excelled in drafting since junior high school and in the 1980s began his career as a mechanical draftsman at Black and Decker in Easton MD. Bill moved to the drafting department of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Linthicum, MD, which became Northrop Grumman Corporation, and retired after a 35-year career.  

Bill was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Glenville, WV where he previously served on the board of trustees.  

Bill is survived by his wife Linda Reth, brother, Alan (Judy) Reth, brother-in-law, Samuel Ours Jr., sister-in-law Debra (Gregory) Dennie. He also leaves behind children Jordan Reth, Shawn Reth, Riley Parrish, Parish (Bridget) Wolfe, and Samuel Parrish (Ira Kraemer), and Linda’s second cousin Dawne (Ronnie) McHenry as well as many nieces, nephews, and their children.  

Bill brought his drafting skills to bear in the early 2000s, drawing up blueprints for the home he and Linda designed and built mostly on weekends for over a decade. Their home is on the farm that has been in Linda’s family since 1832, and they enjoyed their early retirement years there. 

A funeral service will be conducted at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 112 East Main Street, Glenville, WV 26531 at 1:00 PM; Tuesday, July 18, 2023 with Rev. Mike Ford officiating. Friends will be received from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Tuesday at the church on Main St. 

Following services, Bill’s request for cremation will be honored, and he will be laid to rest in the Stalnaker Cemetery (Glenville) at a later date. 

In addition to flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church, c/o June Nonnenberg, 416 Kanawha Street, Glenville, WV 26351 in honor of Bill. 

Ellyson Mortuary, Inc., is honored to assist the family of William “Bill” D. Reth Jr. with final arrangements.