Bill Reynolds, a well-known author who penned twelve superb novels and a beloved column for The Providence Journal for almost four decades, passed away on Thursday at the age of 78.

In the 1960s, Reynolds rose to prominence as a basketball phenom who dominated both Brown University and Barrington High School. He never stopped playing pickup games with friends, demonstrating an undying passion for the game.

Reynolds’ enduringly popular Saturday column, “For What It’s Worth,” was considered required reading by readers of The Journal.

In its pages, he expressed his views on the most recent sports news as well as his personal preferences for music, books, and other topics that interested him.

The Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots, the Independent Man, and even out-of-state license plates seen on Rhode Island beaches were among the recurring themes that resonated with his readers.

Reynolds was a prolific novelist who had a significant influence on the literary world in addition to his column. Some of them, such “Born to Coach” (co-written with Rick Pitino), “Fall River Dreams,” “Basketball Junkie,” and “Hope: A School, A Team, A Dream,” stand as timeless instances of his talent.

Reynolds steadily reduced his connection with The Journal after his illustrious tenure, officially ceasing full-time duties in the summer of 2019. In 1981, he started working for the magazine as a correspondent in the Newport bureau. A few years later, he moved to the Sports department, which turned out to be the ideal fit for his talents and interests.