Will Reeve

We have learned, with great sadness, of the death of Will Reeve, who worked in Estates and Campus Services as a Control Room Operator.

Will’s friend and colleague Lisa Martin writes:

William Reeve was born in London on 10 May 1952 and moved to Leicester some time later with his parents. After moving to Leicester, Will met the mother of his stepdaughter, and his two sons, Lucy, James and Benjamin.

Will was a lot of things to many people: a painter, a historian, an avid bird watcher and most importantly to him a father.

William Reeve came to work at the University of Leicester on 20 January 2014 in the Security department, after he had worked for a printing company for many years. 

To us Will was a friend, a shoulder to cry on, a sounding board for your ideas and a speak-and-spell for his partner in crime in the control room Lisa.

He helped to train many of the staff both past and present, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for the University. 

Will loved a good cup of tea with a slice of carrot cake, a singalong on the night shifts and a great big moan, putting the world to rights.

Will was given the sad news in December of 2025 that his cancer was terminal and given just three months to live. In February of 2026, Will moved from his flat in Anstey to a care home on the doorstep of his favourite place in the world, Watermead Park.

Even after his diagnosis Will was full of joy and love for life and the people around him. He dearly loved everyone who took their time to come and visit him and steal him away on day release to wander around the park to see the ducks at his beloved King Lear’s Lake. 

Will’s greatest passion was for art, and he had the privilege to hold an art show in his care home, where friends, family and the residents of the home came to view and buy some of his favourite pieces. Will was able to raise over £1,000 in the first two hours of his show. Will would joke that he had finally found his audience in his fellow care home residence, a captive one.

Will was externally talented in many ways. Painting with an eye for colour and detail all came from his great grandad who serviced in the Artist Rifles. His favourite thing to capture in his paintings were the landscapes from his favourite walking spots: Watermead Park, the Yorkshire coastline particularly Staines, and Blakeney Point on the Norfolk coast, a painting of which he was honoured to donate to the University, and now has a home on the centre stairwell in the Fielding Johnson Building. Will would take photos and whenever he had free time he would work on his paintings.

Will was painting right up until April 2026 when he lost most of the use in his hands. 

Will became a Granddad on 20 June 2026 to a beautiful baby boy, Finley. He was able to cuddle Finley on 2 August and hopefully Will was able to pass on some of his wisdom to little Finley.

I have very sad news on the passing of this amazing gent. Will passed away on Wednesday 30 September 2026 

Everyone who knew Will has felt the loss of his passing. He brought enthusiasm and joy to every shift. Even when he was grumpy, he would always make sure everyone was okay. He has been a great Control Room Operator, an amazing colleague and the most wonderful friend.

Will's funeral took place on 13 October 2026 at Loughborough crematorium, attended by friends and family.

We would like to share some of Will’s art with anyone who would like to see it.