William “Bill” Reynolds Lybrook was born in Forsyth County in 1912. Bill’s great uncle was William Neal Reynolds, and Bill spent a lot of his childhood at his uncle’s home, Tanglewood. He also lived there until after he was married.
Bill worked for R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company since 1940 as associate counsel, director, secretary and vice president. He retired from R. J. Industries in 1976.
Bill was named executor of William Neal Reynolds’ will, which called for the farm to be made into a park. The responsibility for the transition fell on Lybrook. He also had to find ways to finance the park, when it lost its endowment.
Bill served as president of the park, and oversaw everyday activities, and special events such as the annual steeplechase and the hosting of the PGA Tournament in 1974. Tanglewood Park was sold to Forsyth County in 1976.
Bill lived at Tall Trees Farm in Clemmons with his wife, Jean, and their four children. He passed away in 1981.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
