Duane W. “Wild Bill” Reagan passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at the Ferry County Memorial Hospital in Republic, Wash.
Born in Kansas City, Mo. on June 9, 1919, Bill will be remembered as the proud world traveler of all seven continents. When greeting folks with an accent he recognized, he often would use that language to greet them, grinning all the while at their startled looks upon hearing their native tongue. It always delighted Bill when they responded in kind! He never tired of telling jokes, often more than once, and regaled the nurses at Deaconess Hosputal during his last days with knock-knock jokes he simply made up. He learned square dancing in high school and as a Rebel Rander traveled to dance on the Senate floor in Washington, D.C. He went on to excel in calling the dances of the Old West. He called dances in countries as far away as Nigeria, on university campuses and at wedding receptions for his daughter and others. He was particularly pleased when a class of challenged eighth graders in Miami, Fla. not only learned the squares, but competently displayed their newfound skills at a school assembly. His greatest delight with this activity was visiting the World's Fair in Spokane. Hearing calls, he stepped in to dance. He was asked to call squares the remainder of Expo '74 and began forging new friendships with people from throughout the world.
After completing Air Force flight school in Texas in 1942, Bill was stationed on the European front flying as the lead navigator/bombadier for the B-26 Martin Marauders during World War II. He was incredibly proud to serve his country in that war. After the surrender of the Nazis, he stayed in Europe and was selected as a member of the 1948 American Olympic Ski Team. He attended five winter Olympic games during his lifetime, and had every intention of making Vancouver his sixth!
In 1952, he was once again sent to Texas to train, this time on B-29 bombers deployed during the Korean War. While there, he met and married his loving wife Pat, with whom he shared 57 years of love, laughter and traveling all over the world. Together they had four children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren, all of whom made him incredibly proud. He leaves behind son Dave, wife Cheryl and their two children Michael and Christine; daughter CeSanne and husband Bob Schwartz; daughter Robin, husband Frank Messina and their two children Nicholas and Juliana; and daughter Janine, husband Jeff Koffel and their three sons Jacob, John and Joseph.
After his retirement from the Air Force in 1963, he moved his family to Republic, built a house and taught in the Curlew and Republic School districts. In 1969, he went back to school for a masters degree in administration and ended that career as the superintendent of schools in a small Montana town. He believed that education was the key to a successful and fulfilled life, and was delighted when all three daughters attained their graduate degrees. Two of his granddaughters followed in his footsteps in the field of education. He frequently stated that his legacy would be his children, all of whom made him enormously proud.
Bill remained an eclectic character to the end of his life. While rarely a “joiner,” he supported numerous charities such as the Ferry County Historical Society, Stonerose Interpretive Center, the Presbyterian Church, the U.S.O., American Legion Post No. 80 and both boy and girl scouts activities. He was extremely proud of his grandson Jacob for attaining Eagle Scout rank, and will most likely be equally proud when grandsons Jahn, Joe and Nicholas reach that goal as well.
At his request, no funeral will be held. After cremation, a military salute will be arranged for a spring date. Contributions honoring Bill's memory and his belief in the importance of education can be made to the music program or debate club at Republic Schools or the scholarship fund at the Presbyterian Church Ladies Aid.
Reader Comments(0)