William Lowry “Will” Reid III, 71

William Lowry “Will” Reid III, age 71, passed away on July 30, 2026, in Kingston, Tennessee.

Will was born on April 19, 1955, in Murphy, North Carolina, to William Lowry Reid II and Mary Nell Reid. He spent his early years in communities throughout North Carolina, Alabama, and Kentucky before his family settled in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Oak Ridge became home, and it was there that Will spent many of his formative years and later raised his own family.

A graduate of Oak Ridge High School and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Will devoted 36 years of his career to the Tennessee Valley Authority. After retiring from TVA, he continued serving the organization and its people through several years of contract work and later through Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc., TVA’s retiree association. His nearly five-decade-long career reflected his deep commitment to service and to the people and communities of the Tennessee Valley.

Will was a man of faith, family, and service. He and his wife, Kim, were longtime members of Christ Community Church in Oak Ridge. His faith was evident not only in what he believed, but also in how he lived, quietly helping others, welcoming people into his home, providing thoughtful advice to those who looked to him for guidance, and generously giving his time and talents.

Will and Kim shared an extraordinary gift for hospitality. Over the years, they opened their home to countless friends, family members, and young people through Young Life. They particularly enjoyed hosting students visiting from Spain, forming connections with several families that grew into lifelong friendships.

Their dream home on the lake became a gathering place where everyone was welcome and no one ever left hungry. While Kim cooked more food than any group could possibly consume, Will was the servant leader in the background, making sure all the dishes were clean and everyone was taken care of. He also enjoyed taking everyone out on the boat and teaching many people to water ski or wakeboard for the first time. These moments reflected what Will loved most: bringing people together, sharing joy, and creating memories that would last.

A talented carpenter, Will could build or repair almost anything. He was always willing to help with a home project and created beautiful tables and furniture, as well as trophy cases for a local school. His craftsmanship was another expression of the way he cared for others—thoughtful, dependable, generous, and built to last. He often used his skills not for recognition, but simply because someone needed help.

To his grandchildren, Will was lovingly known as “Diddy.” He found great joy in chauffeuring them to sporting events, taking them on adventures, cheering them on, and simply spending quality time with them. Whether he was sitting in the stands, driving them wherever they needed to go, teaching them something new, or creating another memory at the lake, being Diddy was one of the greatest joys of his life.

Will is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kimberly Kennedy Reid; his sons, Matt Reid and his wife, Sarah, of Knoxville, and their sons, Cooper and Parker; Nate Reid and his wife, Becca, of Knoxville, and their children, Ruth and Thomas; and Travis Reid of Nashville.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Lowry Reid II, and his mother, Mary Nell Reid.

Will’s life was defined by the love he gave his family, the faith that guided him, and the service he offered so freely to others. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured, the things he built with his hands, and the countless lives made brighter by his kindness.

Services will be held Friday, August 7, at First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge, 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Family burial will be on Saturday, August 8 at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.