Willie "Bill" Spurgin

Bill was born in the Compere community in southern Jones County on November 21, 1931, to Will and Lu Viola Spurgin.

     He was a kind caring gentleman and loved by all. He passed into Heaven, to be with his Savior and all of those who have gone before him on Monday, December 5, 2022. He wished to be cremated and placed in the Merkel Rose Hill cemetery next to his first wife and mother of his children Steve Spurgin and wife Billie, Terri Halpern and husband Dan, Tracy Hernandez and husband James, and Leigh Ann Spurgin. He has eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert, and Clinton along with his step-grandson Travis Sansom. He is survived by his wife Wanda Spurgin, one sister, Alice Santleban and his four children.

   Bill went to elementary school at Noodle and graduated from high school at Noodle-Horn in 1948. He worked at the Longhorn Creamery in Abilene, while attending McMurry College. He received his B.A. Degree in 1952. He married Dianne Lefler in 1952. Dianne passed away in 1989. He did graduate study in English at Texas Christian University. Then he went on to receive his M.E.D. from Sul Ross State University in 1967. He was Dean of men at Sul Ross State University for four years. He taught High School at Roby High School (1952-1954); Loraine High School (1954-1956); Sweetwater High School (1956-1958); Grandfalls Royalty High School (1958-1962); Sul Ross State University (1967-1972); Burleson ISD (1972-1981); Superintendent of Roscoe ISD (1981-1991); He served four years in the National Guard. He called basketball games and football games as a hobby. When there was a track meet, he served as the announcer as well as for band presentations. Bill also spent some time in radio.

   Bill accepted Jesus in 1943, he was a Methodist lay Minister before becoming a Baptist. He taught an adult Sunday class for twenty years at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church with great response to his lessons. He was told that when he set the scene for his lesson, they could visualize it happening. Bill dedicated his life to serving others and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Some of his favorite songs are “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art”.  “It is a joy for me to recommend to you the Sunday School lessons of Bill Spurgin. In my 65 years of preaching, I have not known a better teacher than Bill. He is always perfectly prepared, his study and research well done, true to the scripture, clearly presented and relevant to the practical issues of life. His teaching reflects his professional educational background, his love for the Lord and his desire to present only the best” Bro. Jack Ridlehoover.

   He married the second love of his life, Wanda Thetford Sorell in 1990 in Abilene. His hobbies were playing golf, bridge, reading, and traveling the world with his wife. They traveled to thirty-two countries together. They sailed the seas and visited the land interests. In 2000, she had fifteen of his manuscripts printed into a book. His lesson on Heaven was considered the most outstanding. He was chosen one “Of Good Report, Full of Spirit and of Wisdom,” and capable of using the office well, was set apart publicly to the office and work of deacon at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church on the 18th day of January 1998.

   One of Bills hobbies was golf. Bill shot his hole in one on August 4, 2011, at the Abilene Country Club, his friend Jim Zumwalt witnessed it.

   He was a teacher, preacher, speaker, athlete, writer, and Bible student. As well as Father, grandfather, PawPaw, great-grandfather, and friend. Truly a man of many talents. Members of the Sunday School classes testimony is that he is the best teacher they have ever had. He loved and spent much time with his stepchildren Tony Thetford and wife Jane, Susie Cassle and husband J, Sherry Rounsaville, Terry Sansom and husband Pat, Debbie Owens and husband Tim. They doted on him and brought him much pleasure. He had nine step grandchildren and ten step great grandchildren.

   He found great joy in his friendship with his longtime friend of more than 60 years, Vershel Smith.

   Bill will be greatly remembered as a Christian gentleman…

Sleep in peace my love and precious one.

Sleep in Peace…

The Spurgin Family wishes to give special thanks to Hendricks Hospice Care, Lyndale, Windcrest, and Mary Cantu for exceptional help with Mr. and Mrs. Spurgin during Mr. Spurgin’s illness.

   Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 16, 2022, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, Abilene. Inurnment will follow at 2:00 p.m., at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene.

   Memorials may be sent to The West Texas Rehabilitation Center or Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.