Nathaniel H. Reid Jr.

WILLIAMSBURG - Nathaniel H. Reid Jr., lifelong resident of Williamsburg, Va., longtime employee of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, husband and father, devout Christian, community worker, died in the early hours of March 7, 2009, in Williamsburg, Va. He was 93-years old.
His father and mother, Nathaniel Sr. (Nathan) and Nancy Reid, were very religious people who loved their 11 children.
In 1933, Reid graduated from James City County School in Williamsburg, Va. By his own admission, he thought more about sports than academics. But when he was named the "Most Valuable Player" in a statewide basketball tournament in 1933, things appeared to take an upward turn. Nat was offered an all-expense paid scholarship to attend Virginia State College in Petersburg, Va. After an unspectacular first year at the "College on the Hill," Nat left school. Looking back, he often told his children that he was crazy not to have taken advantage of the opportunity that had been "dropped in his lap."
Mr. Reid worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for 40 years. When he first joined the CW family, he worked as a waiter at the old Travis House restaurant. At the start of World War II, he got a job as a waiter at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, Va. He was a hard working person whose trademark smile and good-natured laugh endeared him to people. Therefore, when he was hired as a bellman at the Williamsburg Inn, a hotel known for elegance and first-class service, he blossomed. In 1947, Reid was named captain of the bellmen. A few years later he noted that more and more guests were asking for televisions in their rooms. But since "television" was an anachronism, they were not in the guests' rooms. Reid, recognizing an opportunity, presented a proposal to management. In short, he sought permission to rent portable televisions to hotel guests. Permission was granted and this entrepreneurial venture became an important means to an end. For it not only made the guests happy, but his economic position was enhanced. In October 1964, he was promoted to the position of superintendent of service, a job that he held until he retired in 1986. During these many years, Nathaniel and the men who worked with him served dignitaries from around the globe: kings and queens, six United States presidents, senators, and diplomats. Reid's motto was, SERVICE IS MY BUSINESS. In a Feb. 25, 1968, article in The Richmond-Times Dispatch, Rudolph Bares, then vice president in charge of visitor accommodations, said: "Nat Reid is an important member of our management team. . . By his personal example and by his leadership ability, Nat exemplifies responsibility, courtesy, tact and the ability to make people feel welcome."
Nat Red was a member of the First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Va.: co-founder and president of the Men's Fellowship, past president of the Community Men's Fellowship, usher and trustee of his church. A dedicated citizen of the community, he took pride in exercising his rights as a citizen. His last vote was cast on Nov. 4, 2008. Active in community affairs, Nat served as a trustee of the Williamsburg Housing Authority and the Williamsburg Social Service Board. He was a member of the Maceo Consolidated Lodge Number 124, and the Malachai Chapter Number 61, Royal Arch Mason. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Mary Elizabeth Baker Reid of Williamsburg; three children, Natalie Mallory (Arthur) of New Bern, N.C., Carolynn Reid-Wallace of Washington, D.C., and Nathaniel H. Reid III, of Ann Arbor, Mich. Over the years, four special people became children of his heart, his beloved Barbara Douglas, John Reid, Bernadine Baker Howard, and Juanita Reid. Mr. Reid leaves behind four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, Va. Family and friends may view Mr. Reid in the church from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesday. The family has established The Nathaniel H. Reid, Jr., Scholarship Fund.
Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home & Chinn-Baker Funeral Home. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.