Floyd Edgar Reed, Jr.

Floyd Edgar Reed Jr., known as "Bill" passed away in the early hours of October 10th 2023, at home. He was 87 years old. He began having symptoms of dementia in 2014, and with a strong healthy body and loving heart, he stayed with us many more years. Bill was born in Winchester, Virginia on August 25th 1936 to Goldie and Floyd Reed Sr. Bill was the oldest child. He has two sisters Betty Foster, of Topeka, KS, Mary Borrego, of Omaha, NE and a brother David and his wife Elaine Reed, who live in Washington State. He also had a half brother John Reed, who is deceased. Bill was previously married to Kay Reed, who survives and they had a son Scott Reed who lives in Topeka, KS. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Dena Bracciano of Lawrence, KS, and brother-in-law Doug Dukelow (Robin) of Mission, KS, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and 2 great grand-nephews. Bill married Sharon F. Dukelow, October 18, 1986 at their home in SE Topeka and were married a few days shy of 37 years.

Bill grew up working in the apple orchards in Virginia. When Bill was a teen he lived with an uncle in the Bronx. When he was 15 he came to Topeka to care for his sister who had moved here. He had various jobs, being a dish washer to selling clothes. Eventually his parents moved here as well. Bill enjoyed sharing his memories with others.

Bill went to high school at Topeka High. Bill left school early to join the Navy. He served during the Korean War from 1954 -1959 when he was honorably discharged. He was a corpsman in the Navy and especially enjoyed time on the ships and at sea. He also had several jobs at military hospitals in the states. After returning to Topeka, Bill continued his education. He earned a GED and continued his education at Washburn University in Topeka, working towards a major in Psychology. Bill also worked at KNI where his son Scott received services, working with Dr W. Crouch in the medical unit. He then worked at Saint Francis Hospital in the laboratory. Most of his work life, 30 years, was spent working at Sante Fe Railroad. He as a carman welder and worked outside on the rip track. He has many stories of his days there with his buddies "Stickman", Bobbie Wand many others. He eventually moved inside to run the underwater plasma cutter. He took pride in drawing the programs up, sending it to the machine with precision. Occasionally he would bring home a metal bird or train he had fabricated! Bill retired in 1996. He was happy to retire with all his fingers and toes. He then was able to give the Ranch his full attention.

Bill and Sharon started dating in 1981. They met at Lake Shawnee Yacht Club in Topeka. Bill sailed a 24 ft Kitty Wake boat. They enjoyed many years of sailing day and night on the lake. In 1985 they moved together to property on SE 41st street, which is now known as The Rand D Ranch LLC. Over many years the few acres they had purchased grew and evolved to the equine boarding facility it is now. Bill rebuilt the buildings for that purpose. The long barn stored boats for several years, until a young women knocked on our door and said" You have a barn. Can I board my horse here?" We then had 1, then 3 then 5 horses. Then the boat storage started being taken over by stalls for horses. They started boarding with 15 horses. The same young lady said" If you build an indoor riding arena, I will bring more horses." They did and she kept her end of the bargain as well. Thanks Jaque B. for the start of our business.

See you later my dear husband and partner, Bill Reed. I Love you so much! Sharon

Visitation will be 2:00-4:00pm Sunday, October 15, 2023 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. Visitation will also be held at 10:00am Monday, October 16, 2023 followed by funeral services at 10:30am all at the funeral home. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, KS.

Memorial contributions may be made to R and D Ranch LLC Improvement Fund, 2131 SE 41st St, Topeka, KS, 66609

To share a memory of Floyd or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.

Services for Bill will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.