William James Reynolds

Long-time Norman businessman William James (Bill) Reynolds, 83, died Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Wake services will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, June 28th, at Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman. Funeral services will be Monday, June 29th, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Norman with Rev. Ed Menasco, Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery on north Porter. Bill's grandsons will serve as pallbearers.Bill was born September 28, 1925, to James Martin and Helen Hughes Reynolds, in Kansas City, Missouri. He moved with his family to Oklahoma City at age 15. Bill graduated from Central High School in 1943. At age 17, he joined the U.S. Navy and fought in World War II for three years. Bill attended Oklahoma State University from 1947 to 1948. He married Peggy Sue Pettus on November 6, 1948, in Eufaula, OK. That same year, at age 23, Bill opened the Bill Reynolds Ford Dealership in Spearman, Texas. In 1950, Bill was called back into active duty to fight in the Korean War. In 1952, Bill started Reynolds Motors Ford Dealership in Norman, OK, where he and Peggy Sue raised their six children. He went to work for Cecil Woods Real Estate Agency in 1970. In 1971, he opened Bill Reynolds Realty on west Main Street. He served as President of the Norman Board of Realtors in 1975. Bill semi-retired in 1995, but remained active managing residential and commercial properties until his death.Bill will be best remembered for his love for his family. Over the last 35 years, he seldomed missed a grandchilds ball game. He will also be remembered for his sense of humor, story telling, love of music, dancing and entertaining his family and friends. He also loved fishing, boating, welding, locksmithing and was a big fan of OU Football and OU Women's Basketball.Bill was preceded in death by three sons, his parents, his sister, Mary Keller, one grandson, and one great-grandson. He is survived by his children, Sue Larsh, Jana Christian and husband, Bob, Connie Smith, Dan Reynolds and wife, Carolyn, Dana Reynolds, Mark Reynolds and Leigh Ann Terry. Bill has thirteen granchildren: Matthew Larsh, Jacqui, Isaac, Michal, Ashley, and Jon Christian, Joshua and Sommer Smith, Brittany Bills, Jacob Reynolds, Mandy Watson, Tyler and Blake Bassham, and 14 great-grandchildren. Bill is also survived by close friend, Eileen Burke, and two brothers, Dick and his wife, Charlotte, of Norman, and Don and his wife, Nancy of New York, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.The family would like to extend a special thanks to the physicians, nurses, therapists, and administrative staff at Integris Baptist Medical Center who provided such excellent care to Bill in his final months.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 Northeast 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, or St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 421 E. Acres Street, Norman, OK, 73071.Send condolences online at http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/Obituaries.htmSubmitted by family