William Samuel Reavis was born September 5, 1932 in Lunenburg County, Virginia to George Sidney and Florene Ragsdale Reavis. He was the third child of eight children.

At an early age, William was baptized and joined the Friendship Baptist Church in Kenbridge, Virginia.

He received his early education in the public schools of Lunenburg County, Virginia. After graduation he entered the U.S. Air Force and was honorable discharged in 1963.

After he completed his service, he settled in New York and was employed with American Express where he worked as a supervisor until his retirement. After retirement, he moved back home to Virginia in 1988.

On April 21, 1988, he married Melba Daniels; they were blessed with one child.

His hobbies were walking, bowling and working out in the gym.

He departed this life on Friday, October 23, 2015 at Sunny Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Goerge and Florene Reavis, two brothers, George S. and John L. Reavis, two sisters, Bernie Mae Reavis Shelton and Emma Reavis Stokes.

William was a loving and caring husband, father, brother and friend.

He leaves to cherish: his wife Melba, one daughter, Jocelyn Reavis Blackman of Maryland, three brothers, Vernon G. (Jeanette) of York Town, Virginia, Alvin E. (Beulah T.) of Kenbridge, Virginia, and James C. (Louise) Reavis, Prince George, Virginia, sister-in-laws, Meava Darnley, Genefa Parris, Beulah P. Reavis, brothers-in-laws, Dr. Robert L. Stokes, Austin L. Shelton, Owen Parris, Leroy Denbow and Curby Darnley, many nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Baptist Church, Kenbridge, Virginia with Rev. Kevin A. Robinson, Pastor and Rev. Yvonne W. Bridgeforth, eulogist. Interment was in the Rosebud Baptist Church Cemetery, Dundas, Virginia.

S.P. Jones and Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.