GASTONIA, N.C. — The mayor of Gastonia died after spending decades serving the community in various ways.
Walker Reid, III, Gastonia's mayor, died on Thursday, the city said. A cause of death was not released.
Reid had served as Gastonia's mayor since 2017. He lost the November 2023 election to Richard Franks.
Before becoming mayor, Reid served as mayor pro tem and as a city councilman for 22 years. Reid also spent time as the Assistant Fire Marshal for Mecklenburg County and was a fire service instructor at Gaston College.
"Mayor Reid was a committed public servant who devoted his life to the improvement of Gastonia," Chad Brown, Gaston County Commissioner, said on Facebook. "His leadership, insight, and steadfast dedication to our community will be profoundly missed. His legacy will continue to motivate us and shape our work in the future."
Reid graduated from Hunter Huss High School and Gaston College.
A public viewing for Reid will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 4-9 p.m. His funeral will be held on Thursday, December 7, at First Assembly Church. Public viewing then begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 12:30 p.m. His celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m.
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