William Reedy

The dean of eastern Pennsylvania newspaper sportswriters, Bill was the sports editor of the Reading Eagle (1913). His columns were written in a concise, factual manner which stemmed from his “long” memory and his voluminous file of newspaper clippings and statistics.

Bill possessed a host of admirers and was the recipient of many tributes and awards. One of his most treasured awards was the football used during Reading High’s triumph over Pottsville in a Thanksgiving Day game (1953). The Reading-Berks Chamber of Commerce presented him with a plaque “for his many years of service in top sports writing about athletes and residents of Berks County.”

Over his long career, Bill covered just about all types of sporting events ranging from World Series baseball games, horse and automobile races to various scholastic contests. He remained a staunch advocate of amateur, semi-pro and sandlot athletic leagues and was often called upon as an arbitrator when an impartial view was required on a debatable issue.

Reedy served on numerous athletic committees and was a valued advisor in the American Legion baseball program. Throughout his career, Bill took a keen interest in the development of young athletes. His desk in the Eagle editorial room was a favorite spot for athletic youths who came to ask his advice about their careers. He loved his work. He grew steadily in journalistic stature as he took advantage of the many challenges presented by the changing picture in the field of sports writing. He was a trail blazer in many phases of his profession.

The thousands of words written by Bill during his career with the Eagle represent a history of sports in the Reading area over a period of more than 50 years. Bill Reedy passed away on September 21, 1958.

Deceased