William John Spaar, 78, of Marble Falls dies Oct. 20, 2014
William John “Bill” Spaar, 78, of Marble Falls, Texas, passed away Oct. 20, 2014. He was born Dec. 15, 1935, to John and Genevieve Spaar in Barnesville, Pennsylvania.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Jo Spaar; and beloved brother-in-law Bob Rader.
A Roman Catholic, he is survived by his wife of 26 years, Donna Spaar; two sisters Jean Rader of Lufkin and Barbara Holeczy of Moundsville, West Virginia; four children, John Spaar of Finksburg, Maryland, Paul Spaar of Austin, Sherry Spaar of San Marcos and William Spaar of Spring Branch; six grandchildren, Rocky and Heather Blue, Kayla, Emily and William Spaar, and Barrett Spaar; two daughters-in-law, Patricia Spaar of Finksburg, Maryland, and Lisa Spaar of Spring Branch; as well as numerous dearly loved nieces and nephews.
Bill graduated from high school in 1953 in St. Clairsville, Ohio, and received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Western Maryland College in 1958 and an Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s College in California in 1975. While he was at Maryland College, he was inducted into the Who’s Who of America.
After high school, he was offered a full scholarship to play football at Ohio State University for coach Woody Hayes but worked in a surface coal mine for a year because his family needed the income. He went to Western Maryland College the next year, starting in three sports all four years, earning 12 varsity letters and serving as captain of both the football and basketball teams. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame and still holds most of the career rebounding records, including 33 rebounds in a game and the best shooting percentage in a game, going 16 for 16 against Johns Hopkins University. He later played Industrial League basketball in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
He married Donna Lee Brown in 1958. They raised four children together and were married 21 years. Donna now resides in Ouray, Colorado. Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961, stationed in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was in charge of heavy weapons training as a 2nd lieutenant, a position usually assigned to a captain.
He retired as a 1st lieutenant to be able to spend more time with his family. He took a position in sales and moved to Hartford, Connecticut, then transferred to Lafayette, California, residing there until 1977. He coached his daughter Sherry’s fifth-grade girl’s basketball team to an 11-0 record, making them all shoot free throws underhand. Bill coached numerous baseball and basketball teams and was named the adult Scouter of the Year by Boy Scout Troop 224.
In 1977, Bill moved the family to Marble Falls, Texas. He purchased a minnow and bait distributorship, renaming it Spaar’s Minnows. He operated the business until 1995, when he retired and sold to dear friends Gary and Traci Thomas. He served on the Marble Falls Industrial Board (1979-84.) He helped start the Marble Falls EMS, earned his EMT certificate and served from 1979 to 1988. He served on the EMS Board (1989-93.) He served as chairman of the Burnet County Hospital board of directors (1991-99) and on the Burnet County Tax Board (2003-07.)
An avid hunter and dead shot, Bill raised pointers and competed in the National Bird Dog Championships across the country. In 1998, he won the San Antonio National Pheasant Championship with his dog Hawk. In 2000, he won the Open Shooting Dog National Hunting Dog Association National Championship with his dog Babe. He was a regular guide at the Big Country Celebrity Quail Hunt in Abilene, Texas.
He was active in the Catholic Cursillo movement and became an excellent square dancer.
Recently, as his health declined, Bill was blessed to receive exceptional, loving care from Elida Mendoza and her daughter, Joani Mendoza.
A person who defined integrity, a loyal friend, a true man of action, Bill influenced many lives and will be sorely missed.
Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Oct. 23 at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373. A service is 11 a.m. Oct. 24 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Horseshoe Bay.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes, Marble Falls unit.
Condolences may be made at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.