Obituary of Phill Reece

Mr. Phill Reece, age 71 a resident of Winter Haven passed away Wednesday, July 11, 2012 due to heart failure. Mr. Reece was born November 26, 1940 in New Providence, Iowa, a small farming community to Lawrence Ross and Dorothy Marie (Wilson) Reece. He was a resident of Winter Haven for 32 years and retired after 27 years of service at Florida Lift Systems. He was an automotive enthusiast who rebuilt his first engine as a boy. He later went on to become a well known stock car driver on the Iowa circuit in the 60's and 70's. He owned a salvage yard where he distributed automotive parts worldwide and built race car chassis. He told great stories with enthusiasm and dry humor. He was a "good ole boy". He enjoyed the simple things in life...family, a western omelet at the Clock restaurant in Auburndale, a Sunday drive, Nascar, Buddy Holley and country music, E-Bay and of course, his treasured, badass cars! His home was a museum of sorts. With his decorating skills including a 1948 Harley Davidson Hummer in the living room, Cushman scooter in the dining room and a Rupp mini bike in his office. He recently sold his 1931 Chevy hotrod, which he built from the ground up, and it will be displayed in a hotel lobby in Taiwan which brought him pleasure and a great sense of accomplishment. He felt his "bucket list" was complete and will join his already passed family and friends at the pearly gates.