William E. "Bill" Spradlin

William E. "Bill" Spradlin, 96, passed away on February 4, 2015. He was born August 11, 1918 in Stoddard Co., Missouri, and was the first born to Golda Dove Spradlin and Ernest Spradlin. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Lois Sheets Spradlin; brother, Tommy Spradlin, Fulton, Mo.; son, William A. Spradlin, Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter, Linda Spradlin, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; grandson, Richard Ehrsam, Gainesville, Fla. He is survived by his sister, Helen Austin, Fulton, Mo.; sister, Ruth Owens, Hersey, Michigan; daughter, Pat Wilson, Dallas, Texas; daughter, Yvonne Springfield, Rogers, Ark.; son, Jeff Spradlin, North Little Rock. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Bill was a veteran of WWII. He served as an infantryman in the 343rd Infantry Reg., 86th Infantry Div. (known as the "Black Hawk Division"). The division entered the war during the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket in Germany and completed fighting in the European Theater of Operations in Austria. For his actions, Bill was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman badge, and the Good Conduct Medal. After being honorably discharged at the end of the war, Bill returned to Fulton, Mo., attended Westminster College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in three years. Upon obtaining his degree, he received a commission as an infantry second lieutenant in the US Army with an immediate recall to active duty. Bill, Lois, and their children moved to Germany where he was assigned to the Army of Occupation, Europe. Bill served in Germany for three and a half years before being honorably discharged from the US Army for a second time. He then moved to Kansas City, Mo. and began a career in sales and marketing. Bill was actively involved in the Republican Party in the 1980's and 1990's and ran for state representative in 1986. Bill served his faith, his family, and his community throughout his life. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and was an involved member of Sertoma and the Rotary Club. At the age of 89, he began delivering Carelink Meals On Wheels four times a week for two consecutive years. The last two years of his life at home, he then received the services of Meals On Wheels himself. Bill played golf into his 90's and enjoyed reading. A memorial service will be conducted at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 4106 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, on Saturday, February 7, 2015, 1 p.m. Memorials/donations may be made to Carelink Meals On Wheels, P.O. Box 5988 North Little Rock, Ark. 72119, or any charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. Arrangements entrusted to Cremations and Funeral Services of Arkansas. Guest may register at www.arcremation.com.