William B Reed

William Burch Reed of Mountain Brook passed away peacefully on September 14, 2022 at the age of 94. He was born in Russellville, Alabama to Eugene M. Reed and Clara Burch Reed. Bill graduated from Auburn University in the top 5% of his class with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. He started his career with General Electric in Lynn, Massachusetts. He met the love of his life, Betty Reed, while they both worked for GE, and they married in 1954. He had a nineteen-year career with GE that included assignments with turbine generators, nuclear reactors, and hydro generators with moves to 7 cities across the country. In 1965 he was named Manager of Power Generation and Transmission Sales for the three-state area of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In 1969, Bill joined Southern Company Services Inc. where he served as Vice President and Chief Engineer. In 1977 he was elected President and CEO of Southern Company Services Inc. and a member of Board of Directors of The Southern Company. He retired in 1984 and founded Reed Consulting, Inc. In 1997 to the present, he was Chairman and owner of System Controls, Inc. and Electric Machine Control, Inc. Bill was an active member of Canterbury Methodist Church and a lifetime member of Auburn University Alumni Association. He and his wife Betty supported Auburn throughout their lives including an endowed professorship in the Mechanical Engineering School. He served on the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council and was an 1856 Society donor. In 2006 Bill was one of six individuals inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame, and in 2013 awarded the Distinguished Auburn Engineer Award. Bill also served as Director of the Atomic Industrial Forum, Director of the American Nuclear Energy Council, Director of the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce, and President of Birmingham Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. He served on the Board of Trustees at Birmingham Southern College and Chairman of their Capital Fund Campaign in 1984. He also served as President of Country Club of Birmingham, Shoal Creek Country Club and The Club, Inc.

Bill was loved and respected by many as he led an exceptional life. He loved his family dearly and adored his five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He taught several grandchildren how to play golf at a young age, and they continue his love for the game. He and Betty enjoyed golfing with friends all over the world and played in several Southern Seniors tournaments. As giving as he was with family, friends, and community, Bill devoted much of his time the last 20 years honoring and caring for Betty.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Betty Reed. He was also preceded in death by parents Eugene M. and Clara Reed of Russellville, Alabama, brother Eugene Reed Jr., and sisters Barbara Hester and Patricia Gardner. He is survived by daughter Susan Hene (Paul) of Tyler, TX; son Scott Reed (Stacey) of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren Stuart Hene (Sarah) of Tyler, TX; David Hene (Kristin) of Dallas, TX; Russell Hene (Brogan) of Austin, TX; Winston Reed of Birmingham, AL; and Kendall Reed of Birmingham, AL; great grandchildren: Harper Hene of Dallas, TX; Burch Hene and Cullen Hene of Tyler, TX; Worth Hene, Haze Hene, and Rove Hene of Austin, TX.

The Memorial Service will be on Sunday, November 6 at Canterbury Methodist Church with visitation at 1:30 in the parlor and service at 2:30 in the chapel. The family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers Gloria Carter, Casey Storey, and caregivers of Lipford Home Care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in memory of Bill be made to American Stroke Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Reed family.