William Dewey Reaves Junior died last week at the age of 81. He was the 3rd generation of a family business that was part of the fabric of Columbus, Reaves Wrecking Company.
For more than six decades, the company shaped the landscape of Columbus by clearing room for major redevelopment projects. Following founder W.R. Reaves, his son, Dewey Reaves, owned and operated the company. Dewey’s son, Bill, later served as President until the sale of the company and his retirement in 2021.
Reaves Wrecking was responsible for clearing some of Columbus’s most recognizable former landmarks, including the Waverly Hotel, the old Sears building on Broadway and Baker High School, among others.
Contribution to the growth of Columbus
Retired Synovus Chairman Jimmy Yancey has been involved in Columbus economic development for many years. He met Bill 40 years ago.
“Bill was a great supporter of Columbus State University, where he graduated with a business degree back when it was Columbus College. We served on the CSU Foundation Board for 35 years,” said Yancey.
Successful generational family businesses are rare, especially a third-generation company like Reaves Wrecking. Yancey believes that Bill’s integrity and work ethic, passed down from his father and grandfather, resulted in generations of local families turning to the Reaves if they needed to demolish a home or business.
“The Reaves family and Bill’s support of CSU could well be the reason that Columbus transitioned from a mill town to a city that became diverse,” explained Yancey.
The outdoorsman
His family said whether working 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.
One of his best friends, Charlie Lindsey, a successful businessman in the fitness industry, would agree.
“Yes, he was a gentleman’s gentleman, always,” said Lindsey, “he just had a unique quality and if you met him, he became your friend.”
Charlie met Bill 20 years ago on a fishing trip while shoal bass fishing on the Flint River.
They hit it off and became best friends and fishing buddies, hanging out almost every Saturday.
“Even through his battle with cancer, he was inspirational for me, his children and grandchildren. His integrity and work ethic ensure his legacy will live on for years to come.”
Bill’s commitment to community and faith
“I got to know Bill about 20 years ago through his father Dewey, a member of First Presbyterian Church. Bill became involved early on when we were sharing space at The Rock on Sidney Simons. Then he served on the development committee to pave the way to build a new location for our church at 7211 Britton Drive,” explained Grace Presbyterian Pastor Charles Hasty.
All who knew Bill Reaves, including Hasty, said he never blew trumpets about the many organizations he supported, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus and Safehouse Ministries. He just wanted to make a difference in the lives of others without fanfare.
“When he was diagnosed with cancer, he called me, and we met and talked about the last chapter of his life. At the end, Bill was surrounded by his family with love and respect. You can tell how a man lives by the way they die,” said Pastor Hasty.
Service for Bill Reaves
A memorial service will be held tomorrow, Saturday, March 28th, at 2:00 pm at Grace Presbyterian Church, 7211 Britton Drive. The family will receive friends before the service, at 12:30 pm at the church.
His family wanted 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: https://www.bgc-colsga.org/
Columbus State University Foundation: https://www.columbusstate.edu/university-advancement/foundation/
Grace Presbyterian Church – Building Fund: https://www.gracechurchcolumbus.org/
Bill Reaves may have been in the wrecking business, but his real legacy is the manner in which he built up his family, friends, and the community he loved.
