Steve Reynolds

Husband, father, brother, friend, educator, coach, and author William Stephen "Steve" Reynolds died on Sunday, August 9th, 2025, following a rich, fulfilling life at the age of 74. Steve's exuberance for life manifested itself through his booming voice and raucous laughter. His friends, family, and students knew Steve could liven up the room with his love of wild, hilarious stories, silly jokes, memorable catch phrases, and his famous classroom antics. Steve's positive, mischievous energy, sense of humor, and loving heart were adored by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Steve was born March 23, 1951, in Nashville, TN to William Clarence "Bill" and Jean Cunningham Reynolds. Steve was the oldest of 3 children and is survived by his sister Marilyn Reynolds Barry (daughter, Janna) and his brother Daniel Calvin Reynolds (wife, Rhonda and three children, Jeremiah, Melissa, and Lauren). Every family gathering was filled with playful banter and hysterical laughter at one of Steve's ridiculous gifts, comical decisions, or burned-to-a-crisp, yet delicious, smoked turkeys. Shortly after college, Steve married Jennifer Stuart Allison (now, Jennifer Weedman). They raised two sons, William Nicholas "Nick" Reynolds (wife, Courtney Hendricks, son, Norris Reynolds) and Timothy James "TJ" Reynolds of Knoxville, TN. Steve's sons carry his love of literature, sports, and outdoor adventure. Throughout his loving fatherhood, Steve passed on his sense of humor, gregarious nature, and kind heart to his boys. In many other ways, both have followed in Steve's footsteps. Nick is a loving father and teacher that employs theatrical classroom high jinks to keep students interested and inspired. T.J., like William Stephen Reynolds, his father before him, is a natural at sales and is an aspiring author of fictional novels involving Appalachian culture and history. "Coach" Reynolds was a gifted, inspirational, and entertaining educator (McCallie Prep; B.A. Univ. of TN, Knoxville; M.A. Western KY University). He taught English and coached wrestling for a while at City High in Chattanooga, until landing a job as Sales Manager at Circuit City that moved his family to Hendersonville, TN. After a few successful years, he returned to the classroom at Hendersonville High School. He founded the still thriving wrestling team, coached tennis, and assisted with baseball. Steve left a legacy of the love of poetry, literature, and writing in hundreds of students who adored him until his retirement in 2007. In 1998, Steve married Cheryl LaYerty Reynolds and was stepparent to Samuel, Tracy, & Joshua. They enjoyed 27 happy years of marriage until his death in 2025. They traveled to exotic locales and attended parties and socialized, but their playful and adventurous relationship brought them years of love, joy, and fun together without even having to leave the comfort of their home that they lovingly referred to as "Shangri La." Steve's lifelong passion was writing. He penned 4 published novels in the genre of historical fiction: The Murder of Che Guevara, The Reich Mutiny, Sanctify, & Mena. Much like Steve's own personality, his descriptive, articulate writing style can captivate the reader and set them up for often shocking, unforeseen, and entertaining conclusions. Though we mourn the loss our chance to create new memories with Steve, his family, friends, and pupils will carry his loving memory, his astute lessons, and his legacy into the future.

A Celebration of Life service gathering will be held Saturday September 13, 2025, from 11:00 A.M. CST until 2:00 P.M. CST at the Sanders- Ferry Park 513 Sanders Ferry Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075

Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415, (423) 877-3524, lanefh.com