William A. Reid

Bill was born in Elmira, New York to William H. Reid and F. Kathryn (Ames) Reid. Bill and his family resettled to Alfred, New York in 1941 after his father took a job at the university.  Bill was an accomplished high school athlete at Alfred Almond Central School.  He excelled at wrestling, capturing two sectional titles - one at 158 lbs. in 1948 and one at 168 lbs. in 1949 while going 35-0 during that period.

After attending Alfred University for one year, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951.  He was assigned to the USS Braine (DD 630) where he honorably served as a boiler operator.  Bill was very proud of his service in the Navy and was delighted when his grandson, Peter, followed in his footsteps.  Bill was a member of VFW Post 7124.

After his discharge from the Navy in 1954, Bill found employment with the American Brake Shoe Company (later Abex Corporation) in Mahwah, New Jersey and made the move to the area. Bill and his loving wife, Cecilia, married in 1956 and soon after bought a home in Mahwah where he and Ceil lived until Bill’s passing.  He took great pleasure in projects and home improvements.  One of his biggest undertakings, completed with his nephew Frank, was an addition to the living/dining room.  A great example of the determination that Bill displayed until the end of his life was that he, by himself, hand dug the hole for the new foundation.

After obtaining his bachelor’s degree from FDU (attending night classes while working six days a week), Bill made a career change and went to work for AVON Products in Suffern, New York as a packaging engineer.  In the early 1970s, he was reassigned to the AVON office in New York City where he worked until his retirement in 1993.  While working for Avon’s international division, he traveled on business to many locations including Japan, the Philippines and Thailand.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Cecilia; daughter, Amy Reid of Chester, New York; son, David Reid and wife Sonja of Wayne, New Jersey; five grandchildren, William Thonus, James Thonus, Peter Thonus, Sarah Reid and Thomas Reid.  He is also survived by five great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.

Bill was predeceased by his brother, James M. Reid of Corning, New York.

Bill will be remembered as a generous, accepting, kind-hearted man with a good sense of humor who always greeted you with a smile.  He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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