William M. Spears

On March 3, 2008, William M. Spears went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born Feb. 24, 1938 in Atlanta. He was the endeared son of the late William K. Spears and Reba Lee Spears of Portsmouth. For 50 years, he was the loving husband to Sara Janrae Archer Spears. He was a kind and generous father to his four children and their spouses: William Kelley Spears of Portsmouth, Daniel Spears and significant other Debbie Lafontaine of Portsmouth, Christopher Lee Spears and Tammy Spears of Chesapeake, and Susan Spears Holloway and Christopher Holloway of Suffolk. He was also a devoted grandfather to Amanda Spears Hewitt, Christopher Sean Spears, Timothy Spears, Kayla Spears, Erin Holloway, and great-grandfather of Jonathan Hewitt. As well, he was the brother and brother-in-law to Anne Spears Bryan and Charles Bryan of Georgia and brother to the late Jerry Spears. He was an uncle to many nieces and nephews. And he was called friend and teacher by many. As a young man, Bill worked as a painter with his father. Later, he made a career in the Portsmouth fire department. While he worked in the fire department, he advanced his career by graduating with his bachelor's degree from Christopher Newport College and his master's degree from Golden Gate University. He was the first in our family to graduate with a college degree. And with this degree he became a battalion chief. As a battalion chief, he trained many firemen and taught EMT classes all over Virginia. After 29 years, he retired from the fire department and embarked on a new career. He became the head of the Fire Science department for Tidewater Community College. For 12 years, he taught fireman how to equip themselves so that they could better protect and serve their communities. Today, you could stop and ask many firemen who Chief Spears was. He or she would tell you that Bill was their teacher and friend. However, Bill was not all about work. He loved to travel. He and Janrae went many different places in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. When he was at home, he loved to go to the movies or watch television. During his life, he was a Shriner of the Khedive Temple. He was part of the Tidal Wave Masonic Lodge No. 273 of Portsmouth and he belonged to the Scottish Rite. When he retired, he learned how to play golf. He volunteered at the Portsmouth City Park Golf Course. He bowled duckpins at Victory Lanes and he spent much time at the VFW playing Texas holdem. Bill was also a member of Good News Baptist Church. He played an active role by cooking for prayer breakfasts. He helped support youth ministries by sending teens to the Wilds and he enjoyed his Sunday school classes. He made lifelong friends at Good News, where he will be missed. Bill, being the public speaker, loved to share his faith in Christ with many. Any time that he was given the opportunity, he would share his faith. Bill's ultimate joy was spending time with his wife and children. He loved to see them all together for holidays or birthdays. He loved his family very much. Others could tell because of the sacrifices that he made for his family. He will never be forgotten for that. Bill was a wonderful man. At the end of his life, his family could not tell him enough how much they loved him. We know that we will not be separated from him for long. Life is short and each day is precious. Take care Bill, father, grandfather and friend. We will see you again. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Good News Baptist Church by Pastor Walter Coles with burial in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends in Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, today from 7 to 8 p.m.