William Otis Reynolds, 86

Bill Reynolds died Nov. 21 with his family by his side.

Bill was born in Tacoma, in 1923, the youngest child of Roy and Augusta Reynolds’ two children.

He graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle, and soon thereafter enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After becoming an officer and training as a fighter pilot, Bill was stationed at Wildwood NAS in New Jersey. There he met and later married Carmen Rodriguez, a Navy Wave.

After active duty, Bill and Carmen moved to Albuquerque where he attended the University of New Mexico. Bill maintained his flight status as a pilot in the Naval Reserves and was a part-time Deputy Sheriff for the university. He later worked on an atomic research operation for the Sandia Corporation. While in Albuquerque, he helped establish and build a new church, which, in later years, became the Regina Caeli Catholic Church. In 1953, Bill took a job in civil defense in Spokane and later with, in Seattle, with Boeing Airplane Company.

Bill and Carmen settled in Bellevue with their six children where Bill was an active volunteer at Sacred Heart Church, the Overlake Knights of Columbus, the Boy Scouts, and the Girls Scouts.

Bill and Carmen retired to a family property in Kingston, where Bill built, almost by himself, their “new” home.

In retirement Bill got busy. He started the Kingston Historical Society, was elected as a commissioner for the Port of Kingston, was a past Commodore of Kingston Cove Yacht Club, a Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator of the Knights of Columbus, President of the Kingston Cemetery Association, and a former President of the Kingston Senior Center. He helped raise funds for Kingston’s annual fourth of July celebration. He was also an active member of St. Olaf Catholic Church.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carmen; son William Reynolds (Jeanne), daughter Patricia Larson (Robert), son Richard Reynolds (Dorreene), son John Reynolds (Brenda), son Robert Reynolds (Cristine) and daughter Teresa Ellis (John); eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Memorial services are to be held at St Olaf’s Catholic Church, 18943 Caldart Ave. N.E. Poulsbo (Caldart off Lincoln), at 1 p.m. Dec. 5.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Kitsap Fire and Rescue Household Fund at 26642 Miller Bay Road N.E. Kingston, Washington 98346. An online guest book is at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.