Brief info
Willie "Bill" Reagan was born in Lake Park, Fla. in 1939. However, his parents decided to relocate their family of 11 children to Vero Beach, Fla. around 1944. It was during his upbringing in Gifford, the historic African American community in Vero Beach, that Reagan had his first encounter with Harold Newton, one of the Florida Highwaymen painters. Reagan had always been interested in art, and his interaction with Newton served as a catalyst for his own artistic pursuits. In order to support his family, Reagan worked as a paperboy and would pass by Newton's house every day. He vividly recalls seeing Newton diligently working on his paintings, which were displayed against the exterior wall of his house. Reagan was captivated by the vibrant colors and the technique Newton employed, using a palette knife to manipulate the paint. Interestingly, Reagan never witnessed Newton using a brush. This experience left a lasting impression on Reagan and fueled his passion for art.
However, despite possessing great talent and ambition, it took several years for Willie Reagan to become a part of the group that sold their artwork door-to-door while traveling. Following his graduation from high school, he pursued a football scholarship at Florida A&M and obtained a degree in art education in 1963. After working as a teacher in Georgia and serving in the army for a period of time, Reagan eventually got married and established himself as a painter within the community of the Highwaymen in Gifford.