Brentwood WWII veteran celebrates 100th birthday on Christmas Day
The Battle of Bulge survivor still tackles yard work, climbs the stairs, and drives his car.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (WSMV) - Christmas Day is often associated with joy, hope, and miracles, but for one Brentwood man, this year brings an extra-special gift: his 100th birthday.
Willis “Stoby” Reynolds, born on December 25, 1924, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, is celebrating a century of life this Christmas. He spent most of those years in East Nashville and Brentwood. Despite his age, Reynolds’ energy and determination defy the limitations of 100 years.
“Well, let me tell you, time flies. I just don’t feel like I’m 100,” Reynolds said. “I wake up feeling good every day.”
Reynolds said the secret to his longevity is genetic. “I really haven’t done anything out of the ordinary,” he said.
A look at his daily routine, however, suggests otherwise. “I get up and I fix my breakfast and I make up the bed and sort of straighten up the house.”
Reynolds still tackles yard work, home renovations, and even climbs the stairs in his house dozens of times a day.
He’s also an avid puzzle enthusiast and recently treated himself to a brand-new Cadillac for his birthday, which he drives daily.
“I drive at night, I drive in the rain, and I don’t seem to have any problems,” he said.
Reynolds’ health and independence are even more remarkable considering his past hardships. Drafted into the Army at 18, he served in World War II -- including the Battle of the Bulge -- and is now the last surviving member of his unit.
“All of them are gone. I’m the only one left,” he said.
Reynolds was married to his wife for 68 years before she died in 2020 at the age of 92 -- in her sleep, he said.
When asked about lessons he’s taken away from his century of life, Reynolds emphasized the importance of relationships.
“You need to appreciate your friends,” he said. “Your friends make your life what it’s worth.”
As for what’s ahead in his 100th year, Reynolds has his sights set on returning to the golf course. And when asked about his legacy, his answer was simple: “He was just a kind, good Christian man.”
For Reynolds, the gift of life itself is his Christmas miracle—a century’s worth of memories, resilience, and gratitude to celebrate on this special day.
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