William J. Reese Dies At 68 - 27 East

William J. Reese Dies At 68

icon 1 Photo

author on Dec 6, 2011

William J. Reese

William Jerome Reese, a longtime resident of Southampton and more recently of La Jolla, California, died at home in La Jolla of cancer on Wednesday, November 30. He was 68.

Born in Coronado, California, on April 24, 1943, he was the son of Hope King Reese and Wilbur Roy Reese. The Reese family moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, when he was seven, and he attended James Blair High School before enrolling in the University of Virginia as an undergraduate. From 1966 to 1968, he served in the U.S. Navy on a search and rescue ship off the coast of Vietnam. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to school and graduated with bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1971.

After receiving his professional certification in 1973, Mr. Reese spent several years working for architecture firms in the Charlottesville and Newport News area before relocating to La Jolla, California, in 1977. He practiced architecture in the San Diego area until 1982, when he came east to join his friend and colleague Kirby Grimes and set up an office in Bridgehampton. He remained on the East End until 2006, when he returned to California and opened an office in La Jolla.

Over the years, Mr. Reese designed more than 225 projects, including single family residences, high-rise and low-rise apartment buildings and various commercial projects. His work was featured in numerous publications, including, among others, Home Magazine, House & Garden, Woman’s Day, The New York Times, Glamour, and Metropolitan Home, in which his home in Shinnecock Hills was featured on the cover and chosen as House of the Year. He was also the recipient of several design awards, including two from the American Institute of Architects.

Ms. Reese especially enjoyed looking at art, drawing, listening to music, playing Boggle, watching the sun set, and spending time with his children.

He is survived by a daughter, Hope Elizabeth Reese of Massachusetts; his son, Alexander Danforth Reese of Southampton; two sisters, Sandy Hoyer of Delaware and Linda Neidermeyer of California; and two nieces, Jayme Tortorici and Beth Beuchotte.

A private family gathering is planned.

You May Also Like:

Born in The Hamptons, 'Jaws' Turns 50

It is the summer of “Jaws,” and many are wondering whether 50 years is long ... 5 Jul 2025 by Michael Wright

East End Historical Societies and Museums Join Forces for Long Island History Hunt

Long Island museums and historical societies have teamed up to host the Long Island History ... 4 Jul 2025 by Dan Stark

Southampton Class of 2025 Receives Diplomas

The members of Southampton High School’s Class of 2025 were presented with their diplomas during ... by Staff Writer

LaLota Votes for Spending Compromise That Raises SALT Cap, but Only for Five Years

The House of Representatives adopted a federal spending bill on Thursday afternoon that will raise ... 3 Jul 2025 by Michael Wright

John Adams Dix Windmill Dedicated in Westhampton Beach

Local elected officials and village residents from gathering on the morning of Wednesday, July 2, ... by Dan Stark

Small-Town America at Its Best: Southampton Village's Fourth of July Parade Is a Proud Tradition, More Than 100 Years Strong

When it comes to Southampton Village traditions, there is perhaps none bigger or more beloved ... by Cailin Riley

Elyce Arons Discusses Friendship, Mental Health, and Her New Book, 'We Might Just Make It After All: My Best Friendship With Kate Spade'

Elyce Arons met Kate Spade when the two were just 18 years old, both freshmen ... by Hope Hamilton

Quail Ridge Residents Scramble After Apartments Are Purchased for Redevelopment | 27Speaks Podcast

The tenants of Quail Ridge — the two dozen studio and one-bedroom apartments spread over ... by 27Speaks

A Family Partnership, Built on a Legacy of Giving: Norsic and Gulija Will Debut New Restaurant, Feniks, in Southampton Village This Summer

When Skip Norsic sold his business, the carting company Emil Norsic and Son, in 2022, ... by Cailin Riley

Southampton Police Reports for the Week of July 3

WESTHAMPTON BEACH — Marcelino Perez-Tax, 56, of Westhampton Beach was arrested on June 29 at 8:36 p.m. and charged with misdemeanor DWI. Village Police said Perez-Tax had a blood alcohol level of .08. He was pulled over after being observed driving on the shoulder and failing to stay in his lane, police reported. His vehicle was seized by police because he had a previous DWI conviction in Southampton Town in November of 2013. SOUTHAMPTON VILLAGE — Village Police received a report of a stolen vehicle from outside a Main Street business at 11 a.m. on June 25. A responding officer ... 2 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer