Willie Clarence Reed

Willie Clarence Reed was born on May 21,1933 to Katie Mae and Will Reed, and he departed this life on February 3, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. He graduated from Washington Street High School in 1952. Clarence joined the Army in 1953 as a Power Man for the Signal Corps in Camp Gordon, GA. He later transferred to San Francisco and that’s where his love for the San Francisco Giants began.

After he was discharged from the Armed Forces, Clarence followed several family members to Cincinnati, where he believed he had a better chance of obtaining gainful employment. While in Cincinnati he met and married Addie Mae (Edwards) and to that union two children were born, Cathy and Christopher Reed. Addie and Clarence remained married until her death in 1996. In his spare time Clarence enjoyed gardening, sports, and most of all – fishing. Because his fishing escapades often took him to lakes and rivers, Clarence learned to become an astute swimmer in his mid 40s and became a regular at the Melrose YMCA. Clarence also became a member of the Wiley Miller Lodge of Free Masons. He accepted Christ and became an active and faithful member of Gaines United Methodist Church in the 50s. He drove the church bus and ushered for many years at Gaines, as well as becoming the resident electrician for the church.

Clarence was always driven to improve life for his family. His first job in Cincinnati was at Top Value Stamps. He later was hired by the City of Cincinnati to work in the Waterworks Division. While there he took classes to become an electrical apprentice. He later passed the test to become an electrical journeyman. He started his own electrical business in addition to working his regular job at the Waterworks. He was so interested in being an electrician that he was promoted to the Traffic Engineering Department for the City of Cincinnati where he retired from in 1985.

Willie Clarence Reed was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Katie Mae Reed and his wife Addie Mae (Edwards) Reed. He leaves to mourn his loss his two children, Cathy and Chris Reed, two grandchildren Christa Strauss and Mya Reed and two great- grandchildren. In addition, he will, no doubt, be missed by a host of relatives and friends.

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