Reed Price

Reed Price, 86, passed away Friday, June 11, 2010 at his home in Billings, Montana. He was born to Reuben and Lita Price in Hebo, Oregon. He graduated from Nestucca High School where he excelled as a student and athlete. He was very active in 4-H and FFA. Instead of attending college to study agriculture he was drafted by the army and served in the Pacific arena as a landing craft pilot during WW ll. He met and married Elizabeth (Libby) Kirkland of Wisner, Louisiana, before his deployment overseas. Upon his return from the war he finally met his 14-month-old daughter, Pamala Reed Price, and brought his new family to the Oregon coast. For the next 14 years he worked as a dairyman, cheesemaker, and logger. During this time their daughter Marsha and son Jim were born. In 1960 he was transferred to Billings as a teamster for Convoy Company. Rob, their fourth child, was born in Billings. He retired from truck driving in 1986 with a two million mile safe driving award.Reed and Libby traveled between Oregon, Montana and Arizona sharing many adventures during their 24 years of retirement. They settled in Yuma, AZ, where they met many old and new friends before returning to Billings in 2005. In 2008, after being her compassionate and tender caregiver for over five years, he lost Libby, his wife of 64 years. Reed was a unique gentleman, who instilled in his family positive principles and prudence.He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Libby, and only sibling, Ross Price. Survivors include daughters, Pam (Tracy) Willett and Marsha Price Kautz of Billings, sons, James Price of Damascus, Oregon and Rob Price of Seattle, Washington; grandchildren, Lesli (Tom) Mulvaney, Mike (Robyn) Willett, Laura Kautz, Robert (Lori) Kautz, David (Beth) Kautz, Darrell James, Glenn (Shawna) Kautz, Allen Price, Kevin Price, and Phillip Price; great-grandchildren, Madison and Max Mulvaney, Bailee and Lane Willett, Rachel and Dana Klein, Michelle and Sean Kautz, Patrick and Elizabeth Kautz; great-great-granddaughters, Isabella and Jasmine, and numerous friends and extended family.A Memorial Service for Reed will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 17 at the Dahl Funeral Chapel. Burial of ashes will be in Hebo, Oregon at a later date. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.