Mr. Willie Reynolds, Jr.

Obituary For Mr. Willie Reynolds, Jr.

Mr. Willie Reynolds, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend departed this life peacefully on May 10, 2024.

Willie Reynolds, Jr. was born in Tarboro, NC to the late Willie Reynolds and the late Rebecca Thomas.
Willie was the oldest of seven children, four brothers and three sisters. In addition to his parents Willie was also predeceased by his stepfather Carlee Fletcher, twin brother Wilbert, sister Christine and a brother James Earl.

Willie was educated in the public schools of Tarboro, North Carolina. He attended W. A. Pattillo High
School, where he was an athlete and a diligent student. After graduating in 1962, he enrolled in North Carolina A&T College (now North Carolina A&T State University). His education was punctuated by a draft in the United States Army in 1966. He obtained the rank of Sergeant and served a tour in Vietnam as a Combat Infantryman. His awards include the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB), Vietnam Service Medals, and the National Defense Service Medal. He returned to school after his discharge and received a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in Recreation Administration from North Carolina A&T State University. Too, in 1968, Willie married the love of his life, Maggie Jackson, and they shared 56 years of matrimony.

He began his professional career in the field of recreation with the Greensboro City Recreation Department as a recreation assistant in 1972. Over the years, he honed his skills in that area and matriculated to Recreation Director at Peeler Recreation Center and Windsor Recreation Center. Willie was known for his yearning for fitness and healthy eating and espoused those virtues to people with whom he met while performing his duties as a director. The young people who now are adults remember him as being a resolute and committed administrator who always encouraged fair play, clean language, and the display of courtesy and positive social amenities. In 2002 he retired after 30 years of service.

As a youth, Willie joined the Saint Paul Baptist Missionary Baptist Church of Tarboro, where he maintained his membership until he became a resident of Greensboro. He then joined the Providence Baptist Church in Greensboro. At Providence, he sang in several choirs, was a member of the Men’s Fellowship, coordinated and supervised the church Youth and Adult Recreation programs, and taught line dancing, karate, and kickboxing. He was an advocate for senior citizens maintaining health and fitness, often taking them on walks and outings. The “Senior Prom” that he coordinated was a statement of fidelity senior living. His crowning achievement in service to the church was becoming a member of the Deacon Board. Willie was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and was a past President of the Greensboro Gamma Beta Sigma Chapter.

Willie leaves to cherish his memories his wife Maggie, a daughter Angela Reynolds of Greensboro, a son Willie Lamont Reynolds (Aiyssa) of Winston-Salem, a great-niece Shannon Johnson of Greensboro, two grandsons Shelton Brown and Joshua Reynolds both of Greensboro, a brothers Kenneth Reynolds of Wilson, two sisters; Kathleen Knight and Juanita Ellis (Frank) both of Greensboro, an uncle John Thomas, Jr. of Greensboro, five great-grandchildren: LaJaysha, Tiara, Makayla, Zion and Elijah. Willie leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, a funeral service will be held at United Institutional Baptist Church located at 802 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27402, to celebrate his life. The viewing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., followed by the service at 12:00 Noon

The family will receive friends at the residence, 4704 Sweetbriar Road, 27455, from noon to 7:00 pm daily.

The burial with “Full Military Honors” will take place at Lakeview Memorial Park, located at 3600 O' Henry Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27405.