William M. Spillane

Bill was born in Galena, Illinois, on October 4th, 1931. He was the second of four children, and after high school, he enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War, serving aboard the USS Kearsarge. In 1954, he married Nadine Wroten and they had three children. His career in civil service working for the National Center for Health Statistics took them from Chicago, Illinois to Washington, D.C., and finally to Cary, where they lived for more than 50 years.

He retired in 1988, but continued to be involved in his church and community for many years through the Knights of Columbus and various parish volunteer roles at St. Michael Catholic Church in Cary and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raleigh, in addition to several years playing the trumpet in the Cary Town Band. Bill was an excellent cook, but with his characteristic modesty, would only ever admit that his food was “adequate.” He was always quietly generous, freely giving his time, resources, and prayers to his family, offering a rosary whenever one of them was in need.

He loved doing crossword puzzles and listening to big band music, but his greatest joy in life was his family. He loved to visit with his children and grandchildren, whether in person or on the phone, and hearing about the activities and antics of his nine great-grandchildren brought him so much happiness. He also played the piano up until his final hospitalization and enjoyed the company of his little dog Lucy.

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother Leta Spillane and older sister Marilyn Paganin. He is survived by Nadine, his wife of 72 years; his brother Maury Spillane; his sister Brigid Spillane; his three children: Michael Spillane (Brenda), Ann Lally (George), and Daniel Spillane (Martha); his nine grandchildren: Brian Spillane (Michelle), Kevin Spillane (Kaitlyn), Maggie Strickland (Stephen), Patrick Lally (Erin), Connor Spillane (Caitlyn Young), Joe Lally (Tay Weitzel), Clark Spillane (Presley), Tim Lally (Jen), and Jack Lally; his nine great-grandchildren: Emma Spillane, William Spillane, William Lally, Daniel Strickland, Kara Spillane, John Strickland, Charlotte Lally, Esther Spillane, and Kirkland Spillane.

A visitation will be held from 1-2 pm on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at Mother Teresa Catholic Church in Cary, to be followed by a funeral Mass at 2pm and interment in the parish columbarium with military honors.

For those unable to attend the funeral, it will be livestreamed on the Mother Teresa Catholic Church YouTube page.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at Duke Raleigh for their excellent care of Bill in his final illness. Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.