The family of William Lee Reynolds has requested the Patriot Guard Riders to stand with them on the occasion of his committal and final military honors. Bill passed on January 11th following open heart surgery. We are honored to join with his family, friends, and leaders of the Santa Clarita Veteran Community.
Bill served in the United States Army Infantry from May 17, 1966 to May 16, 1968. He was stationed in Vietnam with Charlie Company (4th Battalion/47th Infantry/9th ID). This unit is remembered in the book "The Boys of '67", the story of the experiences of a company from the only division in the Vietnam era to train and deploy together in similar fashion to WWII's famous 101st Airborne Division. His service resulted in our hero earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. This unit continues to hold reunion events every two years that were, in part, facilitated by our hero.
Following his service Bill was employed by Lockheed Martin for 26 years with the last position in management. Our hero was very active in the Veteran community both locally as well as nationally. He was a member of the American Legion, the Elks and the Vietnam Veterans of America. He was president of both the Eternal Valley Veteran's Memorial Day and Veterans Day Committees here in the SCV. He was responsible for the promoting and fundraising for the SCV Fallen Warriors Monument in place at SCV Veteran's Historical Plaza. Over the years he was also a published interviewer of local veterans featured in The SCV Signal Newspaper and KHTS radio station.
Bill volunteered and helped start The Greatest Generation Foundation which enabled Vietnam Veterans to return to their battleground sites in Vietnam. He's most proud of his visit to Da Nang when he was there at the same time as Former President Donald Trump. Bill was invited to the podium to speak at the President's press conference.
Bill Reynolds is survived by his loving wife, Meg, his siblings, Bob and Joanne, his two children Lisa Marie Henry and Michael Troy Reynolds as well as five grandchildren.
The Patriot Guard Riders will be joined today by the American Legion Riders, VFW Riders, and Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. We are joining a large contingent of local veteran and civic leaders, a Condor Squadron Flyover, and the Marine Corp League Honor Team from Simi Valley.
We are being allowed this honor of sending off our hero with the total cooperation of the staff of Eternal Valley. They are delighted that we are going to be present. This venue is still operating under Covid-19 restrictions. We will be masked and socially spaced. There is no accompaniment so our motorcycles and cages will not have to travel in tight formation on this challenging property. Level parking is being allocated proximal to the committal site.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, please see the time table below if you would like to participate. Dress appropriately for the weather.
NOTE: Please observe the latest COVID-19. Face coverings are required.
Time Table for Saturday, 06 February 20210900 Staging at Park and Ride lot, Newhall Ave. exit of HWY 14.
https://goo.gl/maps/MUDUcyyuPK9Lwr9k60915 Mission Briefing
0930 Ride to committal site location
Eternal Valley Cemetery
23287 Sierra Highway
Newhall, CA 91321
https://goo.gl/maps/qj39k39DRmbzDQZi71000 Flag line and Military Honors at Veterans monument.
R/C: Steve Blumenfeld, SSGT USAF 1970-74aka Captain Chaos
So Cal PGR Ride Captain
steveb507alrpgr@gmail.com
661-212-2284
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Every PGR member is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
