Mr. William Amos (W.A.) Reid Jr., 91, passed away on July 17, 2016, at his home after a brief illness. He was born in Allsboro, Alabama on Oct. 16,1924, and attended Allsboro School and graduated from Cherokee Vocational School.
He was a World War II veteran serving his country in the United States Air Force as a gunner and flight engineer on a B-24 bomber. After serving his country, he operated a cotton warehouse and also ran a farm equipment company. He was a cotton, soybean, and wheat farmer and retired from Reynolds Metals in 1980.
He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since birth and was baptized in the church. At the age of 88 he chose to be baptized into the Baptist faith and became a member of Woodward Ave. Baptist Church. He was a member of the Gideon’s International speaking in area churches spreading the word of God. He was a proud member of the American Legion Colbert County Post 31. He developed a love for flying at an early age and spent many hours flying his own single engine plane around North Alabama.
Visitation will be today from noon-2 p.m. at Woodward Avenue Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with Dr. Will Rushing officiating. Burial will be in Colbert Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Reid is survived by his wife of 54 years, Frances Rutherford Reid; son, Wade Reid (Donna); daughters, Lisa Ruggles (Douglas) and Lucy Swindle (Ryan); grandchildren, Michael Reid, Christy McKinney, Hunter Cook, and Hanna and Reid Ruggles; great-grandchildren, Hartley Reid, Ann Tyler, and Brady McKinney; sisters, Sue Malone, Nashville Tennessee, and Mae Hayden, Allsboro, Alabama; and a large host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Della Reid; sisters, Ruth Bishop, Joy Bishop, Pearl Bolding, and Fae Campbell; and brothers, Elbert Reid, Charlie Lee Reid, Nathaniel Reid, and Paul Reid.
Pallbearers will be Michael Reid, Hunter Cook, Reid Ruggles, Ryan Swindle, Douglas Ruggles, Andy Bolding, and Leslie Rutherford.
The family would like to especially thank Brad McAnalley, M.D., Jerry Williams, M.D., Helen Keller Hospital fourth floor staff, and Hospice of North Alabama for the special care given. Also, to one special caregiver, Taylor: thank you for your sweet and kind care.
Colbert Memorial Chapel is assisting the family.
