Willie C. Reagan, “Bill”, is a native
Floridian who relocated to Gifford from Palm Beach
County. Bill spent his elementary and high school
years at Gifford High and graduated in 1958. This
was a creative period in his life in which be
began to draw, paint, sculpt, do ceramics and
woodwork. This artistic and creative period was
an encouragement for him to pursue Art Education
as a career.
Upon graduating from Gifford High School, he
earned a four year scholarship to Florida A&M
University, where he played as a running back
for the Rattlers football team. Graduating in
1963 with a B.A. in Art Education, he began
teaching in Savannah, Georgia where he met his
soon to be wife, Don DeLora. After one year
of teaching, he was drafted into the US Army
and after two years of military service, Bill
married Don DeLora and eventually had two children,
Darrin and Joy.
Bill returned to Gifford, Florida and began
teaching in the Indian River County school system.
He was reunited with friends George and Ellis
Buckner and Alphonzo Moron and this helped him
to again ignite his passion for painting. He
eventually retired after 30 years of teaching
Art Education. Again he was inspired by the
book written by Gary Monroe, The Highwaymen:
Florida’s African-American Landscape Painters.
This newly ignited passion helped Bill to decide
to visit Paris, France with his wife and family.
Returning to the U.S. with a new sense of commitment,
he returned to his first love that of painting
after a hiatus of twenty-two years. Finally
he is realizing a dream come true as he is inspired
to show his love and respect of the natural
beauty that is Florida. He has sold many paintings
and he continues to paint and show others the
beauty that can be captured by an artist with
such God given talent.
Inspired
by the book written by Gary Monroe, The Highwaymen:
Florida's African-American Landscape Painters,
Bill decided to fully re-ignite the passion
he once felt for his art. This newly ignited
passion inspired Bill to visit Paris, France,
along with his wife and family. A trip to the
“Musee du Louvre” provided an incredibly
moving experience, allowing him to view “up
close and personal” the works of such
historically significant artists as Leonardo
da Vinci (the Mona Lisa), Raphael, Michelangelo,
and Botticelli. While in France, Bill was also
able to visit the grand Palace of Versailles,
the world’s most famous palace and home
of King Louis XIV. Filled with magnificent period
art and architecture, the palace again moved
Bill both emotionally and artistically at a
level that only a true artist could appreciate.
Having returned to the U.S.
with a new sense of commitment to continue his
quest to become the premier Highwayman in the
State of Florida, Bill completely focused on
the one thing that fueled his creativity: painting.
His anticipated retirement allowed him the time
necessary for his creativity to flourish and
expand. Finally, after a twenty-two year hiatus,
Bill is once again painting and meeting new
fans of Highwaymen art. Each painting is an
inspired work – a product of his love
and respect for the natural beauty that is Florida.
Being a true Renaissance man, Bill did not scoff
at special orders from clients wanting pictures
reproduced, but instead accepted the commissions
as challenges and delivered professional results,
creating a network of repeat buyers.
On
June 8, 2002, Bill made a public appearance
at Max & Meg’s Restaurant in Fort
Pierce, Florida for a scholarship fundraiser.
Of the ten paintings on exhibition, nine were
sold within 2 hours. Bill considered this to
be a turning point in his career as a Highwayman.
He is very proud of his accomplishments and
has actually sold many paintings since his return
to the Highwaymen tradition. Shows selling Bill’s
works have taken place in many cities around
Florida and Georgia, including: Vero Beach,
Ft. Pierce, Tampa, Brooksville, Orlando, Delray
Beach, Ocala, Safety Harbor, Ft. Lauderdale,
Melbourne, Citrus Springs, Florida; Atlanta
and Savannah, Georgia. When asked about his
love and appreciation of art, Bill responded
that he enjoys painting immensely, but gets
an even better thrill out of "watching
others enjoy, admire, and buy his paintings."