CLASSIFIED OBITUARY FOR SATURDAY

William Jacob Reynolds

Age 89, of East Sparta, passed away Sunday, December 20, 2015 at home. He was born November 23, 1926 in East Sparta, Ohio to the late Herman and Dorothy (Brothers) Reynolds. He was a lifetime member of the East Sparta United Methodist Church.  He retired in 1990 as a lifelong carpenter, learning his trade from his father. He spent many years working for the Gibbons & Grable Construction Company and other construction firms. He was a 69 year member of the American Legion Post 244. For over 20 years, Bill was the Boy Scout Troop Leader with Troop 38 in East Sparta and served as a Council Representative with the Buckeye Council, BSA. He was a member of the Masons.  Bill was a veteran of World War II, serving his country in the navy from 1944-1946 in the South Pacific on board the USS Cache and the USS Maryland.  He was a wonderful man and father. Family was most important to him and he took his role of family patriarch very seriously.  He instilled good morals, the value of hard work, and respect for others in his children.  Bill was a man of God, a good husband, and provider.  He was very active in his church and civic organizations.  Bill was a positive influence on the young men he led in scouting.  Many achieved Scouting's highest honor, Eagle Scout.  He was selected as 2004 Man of the Year by the East Sparta Civic Association and received a Citation of Meritorious Service by the American Legion.  Both awards were for his work with and advancement of Boy Scouting.  He was considered to be quite a character by his family and friends and was the repository for so many stories about the families and Village of East Sparta.  He was preceded in death by his parents;  brothers Carl and Paul Reynolds; his sister Mary Wilson; his daughter Vicki Dyke; and his granddaughter Angela McKnight.  He is survived by his wife of 68 years Elsie (Medley) Reynolds; his brothers Virgil, Frank, Lester, and Gary Reynolds.  Bill is survived by his son Dean and  Janet (Najda) Reynolds of Alliance, his daughter Billie Jo Reynolds of East Sparta; and son-in-law Don Dyke of Magnolia; grandsons Randy Dyke of Moore Oklahoma, Brandon (Sarah) of Sioux City, Iowa; Connor (Sarah) of Marshalltown, Iowa; Daniel of Cedar Falls, Iowa; granddaughters Shayna and Sharonda McKnight both of East Sparta; and great-grandchildren Malachi, Joshua, John, Esther, Ella, Anna, Levi and Lydia Reynolds; and Nadia and Peyton McKnight.  A Memorial Service will be at 10:00 am, Monday, December 28th in the East Sparta United Methodist Church with Pastor Peggy Garner officiating. Bill will be laid to rest in the East Sparta Cemetery.  There will be no  calling hours.  In lieu of flowers contributions in Bill's memory may be made to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr., Suite E, Green, OH, 44685.  Condolences may be left at: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com.

Gordon (330)866-9425