William Lafate "Big Red" Reeves

william  reeves

William Lafate “Big Red” Reeves
The Unofficial Mayor of Candler, North Carolina

William Lafate “Big Red” Reeves, a lifelong resident and beloved figure of Reeves Cove and Candler, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025. Known affectionately as “Big Red,” he worked really hard to take care of his family, was always friendly to everyone, and was a true, loyal friend.

Born to the late James Russell Reeves and Savannah Loe Brown, Red lived a life filled with community, family, and friendship. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dianne T. Reeves; grandsons, Paul Ollis and Dwayne Caison; and brothers, Brownloe, Tom, and Nelson Reeves.

Red is survived by his loving children, Christi Ollis (Greg), Beth Langenderfer (Gabe), Joey Caison (Beannie), Darrell Caison (Holly), Mike Caison (Sharon) and Mark Reeves (Tonya); his grandchildren include Gabrielle, Braeden, Grant, Tobi, Casey, Kenny, Michael, Heidi, David, Cameron, Jonathan, and Benjamin, along with great-grandchildren Sam and Everly—and many more across several generations. He also leaves behind his sister Ann Scruggs, and brothers James and Eddie Reeves.

Red worked at Circle-Eight Foods, Cordell’s Towing, and Ingles, where he made lifelong friendships. He was also the proud owner and operator of Red’s Towing, a significant part of his life’s work.

Known as “Hickory Top” in the CB radio community, Red was passionate about racing and served on the pit crew for Slagle Racing. His Friday nights at New Asheville Speedway were a beloved tradition.

Red’s warmth and friendliness touched everyone he met, and he was well known for reconnecting with friends no matter where he traveled.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. We are confident that his closest friends—Wayne, Frankie, Carol, Danny, Lloyd, Ted, Henry, David and Earl, and many others—welcomed him with open arms at heaven’s gate.

The family will receive friend on Saturday, July 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 13, at 2:00 p.m. in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with Reverend James King officiating. Interment will follow at New Morgan Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to here to assist with expenses: Honoring Big Red Reeves: Support His Memorial.

Services

Visitation: July 12, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Funeral Service: July 13, 2025 2:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Burial: July 13, 2025 3:00 pm

New Morgan Hill Cemetery
Lake Drive
Candler, NC 28715


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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to each member of Red’s family. He was greatly loved by all his friends and will always be remembered.

    • He was such a great man. He was a legend in Candler. I learned so much from his and my father’s relationship. May God be with each family member.

  2. Rest in Peace Will, you will be remembered as one always ready to lend a hand. I had to call you out many times late at night because someone had had a wreck. You were one that could be counted on. Rest In Peacey Friend and God’s Speed. In

  3. We are so sorry for your loss, you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Red was loved by all.

  4. Red was a very special, kind neighbor. He will be missed by so many. He always had time to stop and chat as we drove by or saw him in Ingles. Condolences to his extended family

  5. Always there no matter what you will be truly missed prayers for all the family love Tim and Donna Trimnal.

  6. I’m so sorry! We knew Red for years, he was a friend to my husband, he certainly will be missed

  7. Rest well my dear friend, I will miss your sweet smile and your friendship through the years!! So sorry for the families loss!!
    He was such a wonderful man!!

  8. My prayers goes out to the family. Red was like a papow to me . I remember all the laughs and smiles you brought to everyone’s faces . You will be forever missed Red

  9. He was a good friend he would come in country food store talk to Parker and Fred we called him red r I p

  10. Red will be missed here, but his body was tired and he has a new one now and I know he is having a big time in heaven with the family that has gone before him. I hope that is comforting to the ones he has left behind. I love you all.

  11. You will be truly missed. Always had a smile and a joke for ya. Sweet man, Thank You for being a friend to me all these years.

  12. Ron Honeycutt. I am glad you went to heaven to be with your family. No. More suffering and pain. We will miss you, until we see you again. The good Lord needs a good rollback driver, he got the best. You will always be in my heart prayers and thoughts.

  13. Hey Aunt Diane always brought such a light to our church. And I know that they’re so happy together in heaven.

  14. Red, You are one of a kind….lighting this candle for the light that Red showed his community….Prayers and God Bless each of ya…
    .

  15. Love and light to your family Bill. Godspeed on that next great adventure; paradise is your new home.

  16. Red and all of the Reeves family has always been so good and welcoming to our family since arriving in Candler. Our thoughts prayers and love to all of you.

  17. Very sorry to hear about Reds death. I grew up with Red in Reeves Cove. He was always my friend as was his brothers and sisters. He is a good man and never met a stranger. Enjoy heaven!!!

  18. So sorry for your loss. May God give your family and friends strength and comfort at this difficult time.


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