Walter R. Reed, Jr.
August 11, 1937 - July 13, 2022
Walter R. Reed, Jr., age 84, a native Delawarean, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. He was born in Dover, son of the late Walter and Mildred (Bush) Reed. Walter lived on farms in Dover and Middletown, graduating from Middletown High School, Class of 1956. He then attended Goldey Beacom School of Business, Class of 1958 earning an Associates of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Administration.
In 1958 Walter worked for the Memorial Hospital, in 1960 to 1999 Continental American Life Insurance Company and Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company of Philadelphia, retiring in 1999. Walter then worked part time from 2001 to March 2020 for Manor Pharmacy Inc., New Castle.
Walter liked to work in the yard, travel to the southern states and several cruises, Alaska being the best, and loved Rehoboth Beach. He was also a collector of Lionel Electric Trains starting in 1948. He was a prior member of New Castle Hundred Lions Club Foundation Inc., serving for over 37 years. He was a member and volunteer for the Bellanca Airfield Museum and the Delaware Heritage and Education Foundation. Walter was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, 300 East Basin Road, New Castle, DE. He was a prior member of New Castle United Methodist Church, 510 Delaware Street, New Castle, DE.
In addition to his parents, Walter was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce Elizabeth (Wright) Reed of 52 years; and grandson, Charles (Chaz) Duff V. He is survived by daughter, Alison Elizabeth (Reed) Duff and husband, Charles IV; granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Taylor, all of Townsend; sister, Millie Morris of Newark; and close friend, Jan Churchill of New Castle.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 am until 11 am on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Asbury United Methodist 300 East Basin Road, New Castle, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Walter’s memory may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church or to New Castle United Methodist Church at the addresses listed above.
Frank Ferriola
Alison, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your father. We have been neighbors and friends for many years. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Janet Jackson
Walter will be remembered by many friends at Asbury. He was a wonderful man, always ready & willing to help in any way he could. I am forever grateful for him being a server at one of our tea parties.
Philip Cruchley
A friend from Middletown and Lions club.
Dana Shreve
My sincere condolences to Walter’s family and close friends with his passing. I was saddened when I came upon his obituary. I enjoyed the pleasure and privilege of working at Continental American during Walter’s long and distinguished tenure at the company. He was a true professional; always cordial and collegial. He definitely was a respected, trusted and valued member of the organization.
Rest in peace Walter.
Barbara Finnan
I was very saddened to read of Walter’s death in the Sunday NJ. I met Walter when I joined the Friends of Bellanca, Inc., to work at the Bellanca Airfield Museum some years ago and know Walter as a quiet, soft-spoken, kind gentleman. He was a staunch and faithful supporter of the Museum and served as a volunteer at Open Houses and as a Board Member for many years. He was also my “co-pilot” for two Separation Day Parades in my 1958 Cheverolet convertible. Walter was the very definition of a “good man”.