William Spears

TAMPICO – William Russell Spears, 83, of Tampico, died Wednesday, July 14, 2010, at Good Neighbor Care, Sterling. He was employed by National Manufacturing, Sterling, for 36 years before retiring.

He was born Dec. 21, 1926, in Coffey, Mo., the son of Orange Lemon and Fannie Catherine (Chambers) Spears.

He served in the Army during World War II. He married Rosalie Hickman on Oct. 13, 1949, in Trenton, Mo.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Bill (Kim) Spears of Pecatonica; one daughter, Alice (Gene) Dalton of Sterling; one brother, Douglas Franklin (Joyce) Spears of Trenton, Mo.; one sister, Mary Catherine (Charles) Price of Trenton, Mo.; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Judith; one son, Lester; two brothers; and three sisters.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Garland Funeral Home, Tampico, with Dalmus Meeks, pastor of Harvest Time Bible Church, Rock Falls. Burial will be at Tampico Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Visit www.garland funeralhome.com to send condolences.