William Manfred Reichel

REICHEL, Fr. William "Rocky", OFM, well known for his wit and the encouragement he offered in his preaching, died on Sept. 29, 2016 at the age of 83. In failing health for the past year, he died peacefully at St. Margaret Hall in Cincinnati. Born to William and Maria (Westermeyer) Reichel in Cincinnati, Ohio, he received his elementary education at Annunciation School in Clifton. He began studies for the priesthood at St. Gregory Seminary of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati before deciding to join the Franciscan Friars, entering the novitiate in 1952. He professed first vows in 1953, his Solemn Profession in 1956 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1961. His ministries included pastoral and hospital chaplaincy, high school teaching and ministry among the Pueblos in the Southwest. In 1981 while on sabbatical he prepared to become a minister of The Word. A Canadian Friar wrote after Rocky had given several retreats in Southern Saskatchewan, "Our friars, staff and all the people were inspired by his preaching and his being." In his later years, when he was not travelling, he offered sacramental assistance and was well-known to the parishioners at Good Shepherd Parish in Cincinnati. Bill leaves his cousins and all his brothers in community. The Reception of the Body will take place at St. Clement Church, 4536 Vine Street, Cincinnati, on Wednesday, October 5, at 5 p.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 7 p.m. Interment will take place in the friars' plot at St. Mary Cemetery in St. Bernard on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, at 10 a.m.