William A. Reader (Age 76)

A true Renaissance man and amazing intellectual with humble temperament, Bill Reader of Vienna, VA, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2016 after a brief illness. He was born in New Haven, CT on May 1, 1940, and earned a BA in European History from Catholic University, an MA in European Intellectual History from the University of Maryland, and a PhD in American Social History from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Bill spent 37 years with the federal government as an archivist for the National Archives and as a records manager for the Census Bureau and the Defense Audiovisual Agency. At retirement, he worked as a records management analyst with an office of the American Forces Information Service.

Bill's breadth and depth of knowledge was astounding, and he was rarely seen without a book or The Washington Post in-hand. In retirement, he taught at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University, where his courses about social and cultural history were legendary. He also served on OLLI's board of directors, where he was always the voice of reason. His many OLLI friends will miss him and his dry sense of humor, as will his fellow members of the Widowed Persons Service of Northern Virginia, with whom he enjoyed many a potluck dinner. In addition to reading voraciously (and thereby living up to his surname), Bill's hobbies included chess, photography, surfing the web, and caring for his dear collie Abbie, who passed recently.

Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife of 39 years, Liz Reader. He is survived by cherished daughters Libby Reader of San Diego, CA and Dr. Beverly Reader of Herndon, VA, as well as grandsons Jonathan and Benjamin Gurrala. Bill will also be missed by his housemate Abdullah Hassan, who was like a son to him in recent years.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 20, at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA. Reception will follow immediately at Neighbor's Restaurant, 262 Cedar Lane, Vienna, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to OLLI, 4210 Robert Road, Fairfax, VA 22032; or to Collie Rescue, Inc., P O Box 221982, Chantilly, VA 20153.