William Brown Reeves III

William Brown Reeves III, a veteran of the United States Navy, passed away on April 22, 2020 at The Mayflower Retirement Community in Winter Park, Florida. He was 96 years old, born on October 3, 1923 in Atlanta, Georgia to William Brown Reeves, Jr and Julia Todd (Bell) Reeves. He graduated from Druid Hills High School and attended the Georgia Institute of Technology before leaving to join the Navy.

Brown began his naval career immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and went on to fly surveillance planes in the Pacific for the last years of World War II, and transport aircraft during the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War. He served his country for 30 years, never tiring of the opportunity to support US military personnel, stationed world-wide, in times of war or peace. The highlight of his service was the opportunity for travel which took him all over the world and developed in him a passion for visiting new places to experience the history, culture, art and food. His culinary adventures eventually enticed Brown to try cooking at home, which became a much loved hobby and a source of immense enjoyment for his family and friends.

In his retirement years, happily spent in Winter Park, Brown nurtured his artistic talents, continued to travel, now with Marianna at his side, and devoted himself to service at All Saints Episcopal Church, Winter Park. Whether painting, gardening, flower arranging or cooking, his creativity flourished. On the more serious side, he completed a degree in Studio Art at the University of Central Florida, concentrating in sculpture and printmaking. He was a also a lover of theatre and enjoyed playing bridge when not traveling. A devoted member of All Saints, he was a founder of the Flower Guild and served as coordinator of flowers for All Saints’ funerals. He also called his culinary skills into service as he cooked for Meals on Wheels and All Saints’ own Coalition for the Homeless.

Brown is survived by his wife Marianna Reeves; children Laura Reeves Scanlon and John Todd Reeves; grandsons Patrick Reeves Scanlon and Justin Jennings Reeves; daughter-in-law CJ Reeves, sister Claire Reeves Baird, and cousins Anne Reeves Burton, Nancy Reeves Peterson, Alice Reeves Hood and Katy Reeves Schroder. A son, William Brown Reeves IV, and a sister Martha Reeves Shearer predeceased him.

Family and friends will celebrate a joyful tribute to Brown’s life at All Saints Episcopal Church in the summer. His ashes will be placed in All Saints’ Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, the Reeves Family invites you to make a donation in Brown’s name to All Saints Episcopal Church. Condolences may be offered at www.baldwinfairchildgoldenrod.com