Billy Wayne Reynolds, 91, of Memphis, Tennessee passed away Saturday, December 30th, 2023. He was born in Vardaman, Mississippi. He played football, baseball and basketball while also working at a sawmill and helping his father at his mechanic shop. He married Ruthell Murphree from Vardaman, Mississippi then finished high school at Derma high school and then became a butcher. The family moved to Chicago, IL. for a while where he worked at General Mills in the cake mix department. In 1957 they moved to Memphis, Tn. He worked at Tisdale Motors in the day time and went to General Motors school at night, where he earned his transmission specialist degree. He opened his own shop, Bill’s Garage, in September of 1958 and was a well respected mechanic for fifty years. In 1972 he bought his brother's race car, rebuilt the engine and was a regular on the dirt track circuit for many years. His pink “B” car, nicknamed hotpants, held the track record for 11 years at Riverside Speedway. He loved music and could play several instruments. He enjoyed cooking, watching sports, and entertaining people. He was always quick with a joke and had a great sense of humor. He loved his family and was loved by many and never met a stranger. He is preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Trudy Reynolds, his three sons: Billy Mart, Ricky Wayne and Joe Murphree Reynolds, and a great grandson, MIchael Wilkerson. He leaves behind his wife of 73 years, Ruthell Reynolds and his daughter, Johnnie Reynolds Boaz. He also leaves 11 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren, and his brother, Bobby (Nellie) Reynolds. Our beloved Gramps will be greatly missed by all.
A visitation for Billy will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119. The funeral service will occur on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM, at the funeral home. Burial service will immediately follow at Forest Hill South Cemetery, 2545 E Holmes Rd, Memphis, TN 38118.
