A son, brother, and friend known for his kind soul and memorable smile, Reginald B. Williams Jr. was just 32 years old when his life ended in the summer of 2012. Born on May 10, 1980, to Reginald Williams Sr. and Ollie Sue McClough, "Reggie," as he was affectionately known, was a member of the East High School Class of 1998 in Memphis, Tennessee. An alumnus page remembers him with the note, "Yeah, Yeah, it's that L.O.C. Blacc still sitting in the back drinking yak." In April 2000, he posted that he was attending the University of Tennessee at Martin, majoring in Computer Science, working, and "kicking it." Those who knew him left heartfelt messages after his passing, remembering him as a "truly kind soul, helpful to everyone." Another friend lamented the loss of a best friend, adding, "Your smile will be missed."
The specific circumstances of Reginald's death on or around July 23, 2012, in Memphis remain publicly unknown.
His official date of death is recorded as July 23, while his obituary states he passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2012. No news reports or public statements from law enforcement were ever released detailing the cause of his death, the location where he was found, or the nature of his injuries. This lack of information leaves a painful void for his loved ones and community, shrouding his final moments in unanswered questions. His case is listed among the many unsolved homicides in Memphis, a silent testament to a life cut short without a public explanation or justice.
The investigation into Reginald's death, presumably handled by the Memphis Police Department, has yielded no publicly available information. There have been no announcements regarding potential suspects, persons of interest, or any evidence collected in the case. Without witnesses coming forward or new leads emerging, the path to understanding what happened to Reginald has remained cold. The silence surrounding the investigation offers little comfort to a family left to grieve a profound and sudden loss. For years, his name has been on lists of the city's unsolved cases, a reminder of the many families who continue to wait for answers and closure.
In the absence of an active investigation narrative, there have been no arrests, charges, or court proceedings in connection with Reginald's death. The case remains open but inactive, one of thousands of cold cases that detectives in Memphis face. The lack of resolution means that the person or people responsible for his death have never been held accountable.
In the days following his death, Reginald's family and friends gathered to honor his life. A visitation was held at Christian Funeral Directors Inc. on Overton Crossing on July 27, 2012, followed by a service at St. John Baptist Church on Vance Avenue the next day. He was laid to rest at Hayes Cemetery in Arlington, Tennessee. He left behind his parents, Reginald and Gail Williams (stepmother); his brother, Torian; his sister, Veronica; and his niece, Madyson. The tributes left in his online obituary paint a picture of a man who was deeply loved and whose absence is still felt.
More than a decade later, the case of Reginald Jr. Williams's death remains unsolved. As of the early 2020s, his name is included on lists of unsolved homicides in Memphis, but no new information has been brought to light. There is no reward or specific tip line publicly associated with his case, but authorities generally urge anyone with information on unsolved homicides to come forward. The memory of the kind, helpful man with the unforgettable smile is kept alive by those who loved him, while the questions surrounding his death linger.
