William Reid Allen, Jr., went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at the age of 93. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mae Belle Allen, and his beloved wife, Roberta. Reid and Roberta met in their hometown, Montgomery, and were married in 1950. Reid graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in electrical engineering and the couple moved to Huntsville where Reid began his career with Marshall Space Flight Center. During his years there he was involved in projects from Saturn rockets through Apollo space flights, SkyLab and the Space Shuttle. They settled on Monte Sano Mountain where they lived the rest of their lives. Reid is survived by four daughters, Suzanne Allen Cook, Cynthia Allen Yamagiwa, (Howard), Carole Allen Austinson, (Monte) and Rebecca Allen Bradford, (Mike). He was blessed with seven grandchildren, Justin Cook (Carrie), Zachary Cook, Andrew Yamagiwa (Nicole), Stephen Yamagiwa, Benjamin Bradford (Lauren), Emily Bradford Davis (Wes), and Olivia Bradford. Reid also lived to meet and fall in love with his sweet great-granddaughter, Madeline Davis. Mr. Allen’s family was always impressed by his many outstanding qualities, qualities that others might not have recognized. He was generous in very private, unobserved ways. His good deeds were known only to the recipient. He never sought recognition. He was also strong of body, mind and will, to the last few days of his life. He took long walks even in inclement weather and worked in the yard up until the very end. Despite the handicaps of age, he always made the most of every day. Mr. Allen was a kind, thoughtful, hard-working, creative, moral, and gentle man. He was a devout Christian and devoted a great deal of his time and talent into the original founding of Monte Sano Baptist Chapel which grew to become Monte Sano Baptist Church. His belief in Christ influenced everything he said and did. He was a man who could be trusted and relied upon, a man with a servant’s heart. He was a godly husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather. Though he tended to be quiet and reserved, he was a steadfast member of his church and community, and the rock and firm foundation of his family. He will be missed in more ways than can be counted, but our loss is Heaven’s gain. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, December 12 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, December 13 in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jimmy Tidmore officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you’re invited to make a donation to Monte Sano Baptist Church,605 Monte Sano Blvd. SE, Huntsville, AL, 35801.
