William Stroud Spear

William Stroud Spear, 76, of Smiths Station, Alabama, went to be with the Lord in Heaven on December 8, 2024. He passed away peacefully at the Columbus Hospice House after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Mr. Spear was born November 11, 1948 in Lee County, Alabama; son of the late Lysbeth Stroud Spear and James Frank Spear. His brother James Frank Spear, Jr. “Jimmy” preceded him in death.

William was a devoted member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church all of his life. He was a 1966 graduate of Smiths Station High School He was employed with Georgia Pacific (Great Southern Paper Company) for 38 years as a Forrester. He later went back to work for the Lee County Board of Education as a bus driver and substitute teacher where he retired in 2021. William was an avid Auburn football fan, enjoyed attending and organizing car shows, fishing and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his daughter, Sarah Andrews (Matt) of Smiths Station, AL; two grandsons, Leo and Ethan. He is also survived by his former wife, Deborah Spear (Randy Franklin); special cousins, Margie Brown (Jim) of Greensboro, NC and Cynthia Duncan of Germantown, TN; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Parkwood Nursing Home where William resided over the past three years, the hospital staff at Piedmont Midtown Hospital, as well as the staff at Columbus Hospice.

A Visitation for Family and Friends will be held on Friday December 13, 2024 from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. in Lakewood Hall at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 3770 US-431, Phenix City, Alabama 36856. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will follow in Lakewood Hall at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Francis Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens, 3800 US-431, Phenix City, Alabama 36867.