Reed, William Michael
Dr. William Michael Reed, 59, passed away suddenly on July 30, 2009, at his home in Radford, Virginia. He was born in 1950 to Jimmy Burl Reed and Lorene Alderman Reed. An accomplished and recognized educator, Mike received his Bachelor, Masters, and Doctorate degrees from Virginia Tech.
From 1972 to 1975, Mike served his country proudly in the U.S. Army as an Army journalist in Europe. He began his educational career as a high school English teacher in Front Royal, Virginia, then accepted research and teaching positions at Virginia Tech. In 1987, Mike moved to West Virginia University where he became the Professor of Instructional Technology. In 1998, Mike then made the move to New York University where he attained the position of Professor of Educational Communication and Technology. During this time, he wrote and published a novel, “Kelley Barracks”, capturing events from his Army assignment in Europe. In 2007, Mike retired from education and returned to Radford. At the time of his death, he was the Institutional Review Board Administrator at Radford University.
During his career, Mike received numerous professional honors and was twice awarded Fulbright Scholarships for study abroad. As an author of dozens of educational publications, Mike was nationally known and recognized. At both West Virginia University and New York University, he served on Masters and Doctoral Boards, helping to grow the next generation of accomplished educators.
Survivors include a brother, Jimmy B. Reed Jr. (Skip) and his wife, Jan, of Avon, Connecticut; a sister, Helen Hines, of Radford, Virginia; one nephew, Mark Reed, of Worcester, Massachusetts; and two nieces, Amanda Hines, of Radford, Virginia and Meredith Reed Holzer, of Birmingham, Alabama. Mike is predeceased by his parents. He also leaves behind his two dogs, Pete and Abby, who will miss him dearly. Mike’s extended family included his close friends, Mary Alice Barksdale, of Radford, Virginia, David Ayersman, of Morgantown, West Virginia, and John Burton, of Blacksburg, Virginia, among others.
A veteran’s memorial service and interment will be held on Friday, August 7, 2009, at 1 p.m. at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens, 1290 Fairmont Road, Morgantown, West Virginia. On Saturday, August 8, 2009, at 11 a.m., a memorial service will be held at Mullins Funeral Home, 120 West Main Street, Radford, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pound Pals of Radford, P.O. Box 2851, Radford, Virginia 24141 and/or Friends of Animal Care and Control, 125 North Main Street Suite 500 #129, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060. Pound Pals and Friends of Animal Care and Control are all-volunteer organizations helping abandoned animals get necessary medical care and find loving homes.
The Reed family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.