NJcoda

To wrestling fans, he was “Hacksaw” Butch Reed. Back home in Warrensburg, Missouri, he was Bruce. This mural stands on the side of the old Davis Store at 311 North Main Street. Members of the community and the Bruce Reed Memorial Fund came together to have it painted following his passing in February 2021. His wrestling name is there, but so is Bruce Franklin Reed. That mattered to his family. “Hacksaw” belonged to wrestling. Bruce belonged to Warrensburg. He grew up near what is now Blind Boone Park, the oldest of eight children. People who knew him before wrestling remember a young man who worked hard, helped his family and built his strength lifting homemade cement weights in the backyard and doing farm work. Bruce went on to play football at the University of Central Missouri before professional wrestling took him far beyond his hometown. As Butch Reed, he became one of the most believable powerhouses of his era. From Mid-South to the WWF and WCW, he stood across the ring from many of the biggest names in wrestling. He didn’t need much embellishment. When Butch Reed walked into a ring, people believed him. When his wrestling career was over, Bruce returned home to Warrensburg. Today, the mural is joined by a bust and plaque at Blind Boone Park, with additional signage planned for the park entrance. Another memorial was placed on a local bus. The second photo shows Bruce’s brother standing beside it. Wrestling fans remember “Hacksaw” Butch Reed and “The Natural.” His hometown has made sure people will also remember Bruce Franklin Reed, the man behind both names. — Steve Stasiak Book Pro Wrestlers