William P. Reed (Spider), 93, died after a brief illness, in Savannah GA. He was born in a small house overlooking the Mississippi River on July 27th, 1925 in Hickman, Kentucky, the son of Clarence and Betty Louise (Curlin) Reed. After spending one year at Vanderbilt University, he was given an appointment to and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1946, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. After graduation, Bill’s first assignment was in Tokyo, Japan during the occupation, as aid to General Whitehead. Upon returning to America, Bill married Phoebe Ann Hunt of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1952 – the sister of West Point dear friend and classmate Senour Hunt (Si). Thus, began their life in the Air Force that would take them on assignments from Riverside California to Abilene, Texas to Omaha, Nebraska to High Wycombe, England to Great Falls, Montana to Montgomery, Alabama and to Washington DC.
In 1967, Bill attended the United States Air Force Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama where he completed his Master of Strategic Studies – International Affairs. He ended his service as a Colonel, Chief of the Investigations Division, Air Force Legislative Liaison to the Pentagon and at retirement was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal. He retired from the Air Force in August 1969, after a happy life, rich in wonderful memories. A majority of his 23 years in the service was spent all over the world in units of the Strategic Air Command (SAC).
After retiring, he moved to Atlanta, as Director of Operations for the Cushman Corporation, a land development company that built Colony Square (one of the first mixed uses real estate developments in the country). He also worked with the architect John Portman as one of the team of project directors for the Atlanta Westin Peachtree Plaza and Los Angeles Bonaventure Hotels. After leaving Portman, Bill started the William P. Reed company and participated in real estate development projects across the country. Bill’s company was the primary developer of the Hilton University of Florida Hotel Conference Center in Gainesville, Florida.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Phoebe Ann Hunt Reed and sister Betty Ann Hefley, Dorothy Curlin Morrison (Dolly), Laura Hefley, John Hefley, Dr. Bill Morrison, and Shelton Morrison.
Survivors include his son William Preston Reed Jr. and his wife Molly Toll-Reed of Davidson, North Carolina, their daughters Phoebe and Margot, son Senour Hunt Reed, of Sharpsburg, Georgia, daughter Phoebe Curlin Sullivan and her husband Luke Longstreet Sullivan of Savannah, Georgia, their sons Reed and Preston, son David Morrison, and his son Justin Morrison. Other surviving extended family members include Charlie Hefley, Nancy Hefley, Charles Hefley, Buddy Hefley, Richard Hefley, Becky Hefley, Cheryl Morrison, Nichole Morrison Gunn, Katie Morrison Bailey, Kacey Morrison Davis, Dr. John Morrison, Rita Morrison, Hollidae Morrison, Cody Morrison, Marilyn Morrison Williamson, Eddie Williamson, John Williamson, Jeff Williamson, Cathy Morrison, Quincy Morrison and James Gordon Meek.
The family will have a Life Celebration in April 2019 in Atlanta. In addition, the family will have a ceremony in 2019 at Arlington National Cemetery. Once final preparations have been made, the family will provide additional information on both gatherings.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the West Point Association of Graduates, the Long Grey Line. https://www.westpointaog.org/LongGrayLineFund
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