William Edward Reeves
William Edward Reeves was born August 1, 1961, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the son of James Edward Reeves and Mary Frances Smith Reeves.
He departed this life on June 20, 2023 in Caruthersville, Missouri. He was 61 years old.
Ed was a graduate of Caruthersville High School. He later attended the University of Missouri where he actively participated in various student groups, including student government and being inducted into the Mystical Seven secret society and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. After earning his BA in political science, Ed went on to attend the University of Missouri School of Law, where he graduated first in his class.
Ed went on to become a very accomplished lawyer, and was very well respected within the legal community for his knowledge. He was Editor-in-Chief of Missouri Law Review, member of the Order of the Coif, Order of the Barristers and a law clerk for the Honorable John R. Gibson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He was an associate in private practice for Shook, Hardy and Bacon in Kansas City. He received the Bar Foundation Appellate Advocacy Award as well as the University of Missouri School of Law Distinguished Recent Graduate Award. He was a member of the Missouri State Board of Law Examiners, Missouri Bar Association Board of Governors, Supreme Court Committee on Access to Family Courts, American Bar Foundation and the Missouri Bar Association. In 2018, Ed was elected as 34th Circuit Presiding Judge where he was described as being kind and compassionate to all that stood before him.
Ed was very proud to be a lay speaker for Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church, and Southeast District former district lay-leader. He also sang in the choir and led several Bible Study classes.
Ed was known for his sharp wit, his keen mind, and his love of people. He was a lover of books and took great pride in his collections. He was known to enthusiastically pass on books he loved to others and would often give rare special books as gifts. He will be remembered for his lively sense of humor and ability to get a laugh out of any crowd. His extensive knowledge on all subjects also kept those around him entertained, particularly his ability to recite the perfect movie quote to fit any situation. He was a foodie, who always had a recipe to try or share, and was always the one to try the strangest item on the menu.
Ed’s greatest love was his children. He took great pride in all they did. Ed is survived by his three children Mary Grace Reeves, Emily Warren Reeves, James Owen Reeves, and their step-brother Riese Scott Spence. His ex-wife, mother of his three children and truly very best friend Jennifer Spence and her husband, Matt Spence. His birth mother with whom he had a very special relationship, Kathryn Miller of Woodland, WA. His sister, Frances Reeves and niece, Abigail Andrews, as well as many other close relatives, friends and two beloved pets, Dottie and Odie.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 2:00 pm in Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church in Caruthersville, Missouri, with Reverend Carl Knapp officiating. Interment will follow service at Woodlawn Cemetery in Hayti, Missouri.
Pallbearers: John Thompson, Trey Thompson, Robert Whitener, Zach Stevens, Eric Peterson, Matthew Pierce
Honorary Pallbearers: The Honorable Byron Luber, The Honorable Fred Copeland, The Honorable W. Keith Currie, The Honorable Bill Carter, The Honorable Joshua Underwood, The Honorable Charles Spitler, The Honorable David Dolan, The Honorable John Grimm, Sheriff Tommy Greenwell, Mike Hazel, Joe Blanton, Brad Ziegler, Josh Tomlin, David Stratmann, Danny Stevens, Glen Whitener
The family request in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church or Caruthersville Humane Society.
