Billy R. Spraberry

Billy "Bill" Robert Spraberry of Abilene, Texas, passed away peacefully on Tuesday November 20, 2012 at a local medical center after bravely confronting and fighting kidney cancer. Visitation will be on Friday, November 23, 2012 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 24, 2012, at Southwest Park Baptist Church with Chris Raley officiating and Mike Ferry assisting. Burial will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Anson. Bill was born in Anson, Texas on March 12, 1929 to Shapard and Arlene (Baucum) Spraberry. He graduated from Anson High School in 1947, and served in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954. On June 16, 1955, he married Mary Bradshaw and they resided in Anson until moving to Winters in 1962. During their years in Anson, their daughters were born, Julie Ann in 1957 and Christy Lou in 1959. Their only son, Robert Scott, was born in 1963. In Winters, Bill began a long career in the oil business as a salesman for Harbison-Fischer, a manufacture of sub-surface pumps. With a job transfer, he moved with his family to Abilene in 1977, and after 32 years of employment, he celebrated his retirement in 1994. Bill lived a life full of many simple joys including time with family, great conversation, worship and fellowship at Southwest Park Baptist Church, and time spent among the cattle and mesquites on Cottonwood Farm in Jones County. He had a memory and talent for storytelling, a knack for growing prize-winning pecans, and was blessed with the knowledge and skill to build and repair almost anything. His ready smile, easy sense of humor, and loving ways will truly be missed. Bill is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jerry Jan Spraberry. He is survived by his wife, Mary Spraberry; two daughters Julie Patrick and husband J.D. of Benbrook, TX and Christy Denman and husband Don of Carrollton, TX; one son Scott Spraberry and wife Rhonda of Austin, TX; two sisters Barbara Muncy of Jonestown, TX and Martha Burkett and husband Jay of Graham, TX; three grandsons Dane Abbott of Kyle, TX, Rial and Elijah Denman of Carrollton, TX; one granddaughter Sydney Spraberry of Austin, TX; and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the many friends who have given such amazing support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Southwest Park Baptist Church, 2901 South 20th, Abilene, TX 79605; or to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, TX 79601.