He loved Jesus, his family, people, and life as he served and lived for 61 years.
Mr. Bill served in the Army during the Vietnam War as an engineer, helping to build Highway 1 near Tuy Hoa in Southern Vietnam. He went to Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton, OK where he met his future bride, Valerie. They married in 1974, and he graduated later from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK with a Bachelor’s of Science.
He worked for several years with St. Edwards Hospital, Holt Krock Clinic, and then Sparks Regional Medical Center as a Medical Technologist.
He was an active member of the River Blenders Chorus and an active singer his entire life.
Mr. Bill joined the Boy Scouts in 1988 with his son as a Tiger Cub den leader. For the next 20 years, he would serve as a Cub Master, Scoutmaster, Grub master, Quartermaster, and co-founder of Troop 110 in Fort Smith. In that time, he was known for his cheerful personality, servant heart, and Dutch oven cooking, especially his “Chocolate Death.” In that time, he impacted the lives of thousands of scouts and scout leaders.
He was an active member of City Christian Fellowship as a worship leader, small group pastor, and a major contributor to the Matthew 18 camp for foster children and several other community outreach projects.
His passions included Jesus Christ, his wife and family, cooking, camping, canoeing, singing, and serving others.
He is survived by his father, Clenton Verle Spilman of Fort Smith, AR; his wife of 37 years, Valerie Spilman, also of Fort Smith; his daughter and her spouse, Anna and Brian Carlisle of Tulsa, OK; his son and his spouse, Zach and Ali Spilman of Dallas, TX; 2 grandchildren, Braden Carlisle and Abigail Spilman; his brother and his spouse, Richard and Rhonda Spilman of Tulsa, OK; and his sisters and their spouses, Rebecca and Johnny Hensley of Stillwell, OK, and Beverly Spilman of El Paso, TX; and his mother-in-law, Mae Mings of Wilburton, OK.
Due to Bill’s many friends and acquaintances the family has scheduled 2 services.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM in the City Christian Fellowship Church and burial will be Monday, November 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM, in the U.S. National Cemetery. Services and cremation are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Zach Spilman, Brian Carlisle, Dwayne Bell, Danny King, Rick Small, and Chip Marrin.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Rick Grizzle, Alan Anderson, Joe Davis, Brian Feather, Joe Carruth, Wayne DeLoney, and Michael Brown.
The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5-7 PM
Donations may be sent in His honor to the Boy Scouts of America or to the Village 2 Village Project.
To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
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