William Austin Spriggs

Long time Ventura resident, William Austin Spriggs, loving husband, father, grandfather and a heroic fighter to the end, received his angel wings on the afternoon of December 31, 2016. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family.

William, better known to many as “Bill” was born July 12, 1933, in Bloomington, Indiana to Marie Ellen and Austin Clovis Spriggs, founders of Spriggs Dairy. In 1944, the family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. Bill graduated from Phoenix High School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1956, cruising the Pacific Ocean to the Orient serving aboard the aircraft carrier “Philippine Sea” as an aircraft mechanic. Bill attended Loyola University in Los Angeles and graduated in 1960 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In 1963, Bill and his family settled permanently in Ventura and Spriggs and Company was founded. Bill was actively involved as a developer and contractor for the next 50 years, primarily building apartments, financial centers and industrial developments in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Bill was also involved in ranching for 40 years growing avocados. In 2003, he started a vineyard of Syrah grapes and began producing and bottling wine under the name “Martha’s Vineyard West” in 2006. Last year the 2012 Syrah Reserve, bottled under the name “MVW Winery”, was awarded a silver medal at the 2016 San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Bill was a true Renaissance Man who enjoyed an active life in many civic, charitable and social organizations including Quiet Birdman, Aviation County Club, Ford Model A Club and El Cien Dance Club, to name a few. He loved life and touched many others due to his friendly nature, generosity, and great sense of humor. While Bill had an incredible variety of interests and talents, his primary passion was the joy of flying. He took great pleasure in the restoration of aircraft and the ability to take to the sky in a wide variety of privately owned and personally restored aircraft. During his 40 years as a private pilot he and his wife Martha traveled extensively. They took many trips to Baja and Mexico, Western Canada, and cruising the San Juan Islands in Washington. Bill also had a great love for music. He played the tuba in his high school band. He played locally in Ventura Dixieland bands, and participated in many “Tuba Christmas” events. Other musical talents included playing the banjo, ukulele, organ and piano.

Bill is survived by his wife Martha of 60 years; daughter, Alicia Pritchard of Ventura; daughter and son-in-law, Julia and Matt Schaberg of Ventura; grandchildren, William Tafe (Nicole) of Canonsburg, PA, Jonathan Tafe and Allison Tafe of Ventura.

An event to celebrate the life of Bill Spriggs will be held Saturday, February 11, 2017, from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM, at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to Community Memorial Hospital or a favored charity of choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com