William J. Reid

William J. Reid, age 84 years, of Hillsborough, NJ, died on Thursday, July 30, 2020 in the Bridgeway Care & Rehabilitation Center, Hillsborough, NJ. Born at home in a snowstorm in Mercer County, IL, on December 14, 1935, he was the son of the late Shirley Thomas and Ethel May Reid. Bill was a star player on the high school basketball team in Aledo, IL, earning a college scholarship to the University of Dubuque, in Iowa. He was inducted into the UD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004, recognizing his achievements on the court, which included being the second UD player and among the first student athletes in Iowa to score more than 1,000 career points. He was seen as a skillful and unselfish player - always willing to do what was best for the team. Bill served in the U.S. Navy from 1957-1960, aboard the USS Shangri-La aircraft carrier. He met and married LaDonna E. Haggstrom while stationed in San Diego. His post-Navy career was as a market researcher with the AC Nielsen Company, working in offices around the country including 20 years commuting to New York City. In 1988, Bill and Donna retired to the mountains of western North Carolina, where he golfed many times per week, and shot not one but two holes-in-one on the local course. He was predeceased by his wife, LaDonna E. (Haggstrom) Reid, who passed away in 2018. Surviving are his two daughters, Kellie McLaughlin of Ringoes, NJ, and Jenifer Chirico, of Richmond, VA. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Gloria Lewis, and his sister-in-law, Rosemary Reid, as well as his three grandsons: Andrew, Ryan, and Adam. A memorial service followed by interment in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA, is planned for August 17, 2020. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Edwards River Public Library, 412 East Main Street, Aledo, IL 61231 or the National Aphasia Organization. Arrangements are under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. For further information or to send online condolences we invite you to visit www.holcombefisher.com.