William Lawrence Reynolds Jr.

William (Bill) Lawrence Reynolds, Jr. 81 of Fort Collins, Colorado passed away Sunday September 6th 2026, after valiantly fighting cancer. Bill was born at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore Maryland to William Lawrence Reynolds, Sr and Ruth Naomi Reynolds.

His family built the home he would grow up in on a beautiful, wooded acre in Perry Hall Maryland. Bill graduated in 1963 from Parkville Senior High School and joined the Army in November of 1963. He was actually taking the oath of service on November 22nd, 1963 at Fort Holabird, in Maryland when President Kennedy was assassinated and he said it was a day he would never forget.

He met his wife Cheryl in 1967 when he was on leave and stopped at the dry cleaners she was working at to pick up his uniform before returning to duty. Months later when he finished his service, they reconnected as they had several friends in common. They married in June of 1970 and had three amazing children, Melissa, Elizabeth and James. The family than grew as Melissa married Robert Edwards and had two children Ashley Megan Edwards and Jordan Robert Edwards. Elizabeth went on to marry Simo Chaoui and gave him a beautiful granddaughter, Sophia Emma Chaoul. Jimmy and Chrissy are living their dream on a small farm/ranch in the foothills with many grand dogs, cats and goats, Bill was very proud of what they have built together.

Bill went to work in August of 1967 for NCR (National Cash Register) as a Technical Field Engineer and continued employment with them for 33 years until he retired in January 2000. He always liked to say he was not " Y2K Compliant" so he had to retire. In 1994 NCR had a major Reduction in Force and the family moved to Fort Collins since Bill's technical training was needed here. Although all the children were old enough to stay in Maryland they were not missing out on living in Colorado and came along for the adventure.

Bill was involved with the American Legion Post 130 in Perry Hall / Overlea, Maryland after getting out of the Army. He also served as a Boy Scout Leader for multiple years after leaving the Army. Once in Colorado Bill and Cheryl were charter members of the High Plains Drifters, a Northern Colorado camping club started in 1997. There were many trips into the wilderness along with ATV adventures to the top of the world or at least it felt like that and incredible friendships. He loved to camp on US Forest Service land away from civilization and soak up everything this wonderful state had to offer.. He enjoyed boating on Horsetooth and Glendo in Wyoming, canoeing on Crystal Lakes and in Red Feather. Last but not least, Bill was an avid reader and a Parrot Head who could sing every one of Jimmy Buffett's songs, not well but he knew the words.

The Family purchased their little piece of the rock in Crystal Lakes in 2001 and many weekends have been spent in the peace of the mountains and enjoying amazing neighbors.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Richard Reynolds and his daughter Melissa Edwards.

A celebration of life will be held on October 17th from 2-6pm at the Reynolds residence. In Lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to the Food Bank of Northern Colorado.