William Dewey Reaves Junior was born on September 18, 1944, in Thomasville, Georgia, and passed away peacefully at his home on March 20th, 2026, surrounded by family. He was 81 years old.

Known to everyone as "Bill”, he was the son of the late William Dewey Reaves Senior and Yvonne Davis Reaves. In 1953, when Bill was a young boy, his family relocated to Columbus, Georgia.

Bill attended Columbus High School and graduated in 1962. Following that, he earned his business degree from Columbus College. His professional career was dedicated to the family business that his grandfather started, Reaves Wrecking Company. He continued to operate it as a family business until the sale of the company and his retirement in 2021.

In 1964, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Craig. Together, they raised three children and were married for over 53 years. At the time of his passing, Bill was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved his family.

Bill had a servant heart for the causes he believed in, often working diligently in the background to ensure things got done. He supported many local organizations over the years. But it’s fair to say he was most passionate about The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley, Columbus State University, and Grace Presbyterian Church.

Anyone who knew Bill knows he was an avid outdoorsman. Bill energetically pursued wild game of any and all types. He had the opportunity to hunt, fish, and travel with friends all over the world. His countless adventures brought him great joy.

His children will remember the man who raised them. Bill was a man of character and integrity. His word meant something. He led by example and he did hard things that needed to be done. He had very high standards for himself and his family. Bill will be remembered for his work ethic and generous spirit. He was the perpetual Eagle Scout. Bill was known for his steadfast commitment to doing things the right way. And his friends and family can confirm, he could go into the messiest of situations and come out almost shining. Whether working some sort of manual labor or hunting in a remote corner of the world, he somehow was always pressed and tucked. Those around him would all look appropriately disheveled, yet somehow Bill looked like he had just stepped out of an Orvis catalog.

He was also very much a man of habit and routine. He started every day with his push-up and sit-up regimen. At 80 years old, he was still cranking out his 50 full-bodied push-ups every morning. And he ended each day reviewing tomorrow’s tasks updating his famous Day-Timer. If it wasn’t in the Day-Timer, it either didn’t happen or wasn’t going to.

Bill was loved and respected by many. His presence will be missed dearly. Bill is survived by the mother of his three children, Nancy Craig Reaves; his three children: William Craig (Leslie) Reaves, Christine Reaves (Kenny) Moore, and Todd Dewey (Storey) Reaves; his six grandchildren: Laurel Reaves (Thomas) Downs, John Grant (Lawren) Reaves, Rachel Moore (Payton) Wainwright, William Dewey (Helena) Reaves III, Smith Flournoy Reaves, and Isobel Storey Reaves; and five great-grandchildren: Jetta Mae and Ellie Sue Downs, William and John-Houser Reaves, and Palmer Wainwright; and his sister, Hazel Reaves Robinson.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the care given by his friend and loving companion, Romelda Barnes.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 28th* at 2:00pm at Grace Presbyterian Church, 7211 Britton Drive. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 12:30pm at the church.

* Dad would want us to acknowledge that his memorial service coincides with the opening day of turkey season. For those hunting buddies of his who are torn between attending his service or going to the woods, we know Dad would want you to do both. In other words, camouflage attire is welcomed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to one of the following organizations:

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley

1700 Buena Vista Road Columbus, GA 31906 

https://www.bgc-colsga.org/

Columbus State University Foundation

4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907 

https://www.columbusstate.edu/university-advancement/foundation/

Grace Presbyterian Church - Building Fund

P.O Box 4747 Columbus GA 31914-0747 

https://www.gracechurchcolumbus.org/