William J. Spurling
May 2, 1930 ~ March 11, 2013
Born in:
Madisonville, TN
Resided in:
Stone Mountain, GA
William James "Bill" Spurling, Sr., age 82, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, March 11th surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 43 years, Carolyn Joyce Edington Spurling; his precious grandchildren, Ruth Koch, Samuel Koch, and Clinton Koch; his parents, Benson and Beth Spurling; and brother, Andrew Spurling.
He is survived by his loving children, William James Spurling, Jr., Marshall Spurling, Stephen Spurling, Mary Grace Spurling Moran Patrick, Beth Spurling Monahan Marty, Julia Spurling Koch James, and grandchildren Phillip Moran, Katie Monahan, Emily Koch, and Olivia Monahan; brothers, Richard Spurling Bettye and Edwin Spurling Margaret; sister-in-laws, Lynda Payne and Jean Haynes, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bill Spurling was born in Madisonville, TN on May 2nd, 1930. He was a member of Stone Mountain First Baptist Church. He played football at Madisonville High School, Hiwassee College, Tennessee Wesleyan, two years semi-pro with the Whiting Blue Jays. He served four years in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He authored the book, How to be Lucky in High School Football. He taught history and coached football, wrestling, cross country, men's and women's basketball. He started as Head Football Coach at Tellico Plains, TN and finished out his career at Stone Mountain High School in DeKalb County, GA. Visitation for family and friends will be held at Wages & Sons Stone Mountain Chapel on Friday, March 15th at 10:00 am. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am. The saints are blessed to have a strong warrior amongst them.
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Sis. Julia, Bro. James, Emily, Beth, Grace and all the rest of the family:
Just want you to know that we are thinking of you and praying at this time of grief in your lives. May God grant you each the strength that you need and may you feel Him ever present by your side as you face today and all the days to come. Remember that He is our comfort and He will never fail us. We love you all.
May God Bless You,
Bro Roger, Sis. Connie, Joseph & Dylan Pister
We are so sorry to hear of your great loss. We loved Uncle Bill and you all are in our thoughts and prayers. You all are very special to us and we love you. Rick, Felicia, Madison and Max Spurling
Just to say our thoughts are with you. Bill & I taught in Tellico Plains for four years. He was a good influence on the students.
My Dearest Grace & Beth. I am so sorry for the loss of your dear father. Though no one can take away your sorrow know that God will give you the strength you need from day to day. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers. You certainly had a most wonderful mother and father… Love you… My love to Patrick and Philip.
Praying for your family. Mr. Spurling was our coach at Tellico Plains, TN High School and was a former pastor of our church at Rural Vale Baptist Church in 57-58. May God comfort you at this time….
Dear Grace, Jonnie and I are so sorry the the loss of your father and a wonderful man that influenced many lives. Our God is surely rewarding him with the riches in glory. Our prayers for comfort are with you and all the family.
Our Love,
Jonnie and Melvin
Coach Spurling was a kind man and wonderful teacher at Stone Mountain High School. I thought the world of him because he always had a smile on his face and happy to see you.
Andrea Redmond
To the Spurling Family:
We were so sorry to hear of Bill Spurling’s passing. I had the privilege of coaching football with him for several years at Stone Mountain High School. He was a great coach, but more importantly, he was a great man. I can’t think of anyone who was more gracious and compassionate. I know you have wonderful memories to cherish. Our prayers will be with the family.
Tom and Connie Buckelew
Dear Spurling Family,
I am sorry to hear of “Coach” Spurling’s passing. He was a wonderful man and a great teacher. I enjoyed the time “way” back when in his class. He was always so kind. My prayers are with you for peace and comfort. I’m sorry I won’t be able to attend the service. I would love to see all the people I’m sure will be there. God bless you all.
My condolences and prayers are with the family at this time. Coach Spurling was a good man and will be missed. SMHS Class of 1971.
Thinking of your family. Coach Spurling was such an inspiration for so many people. He will always be remembered as a good and caring man. Prayers and love to the family.
I taught and coached football with Coach Spurling at Stone Mountain High School. He was a friend and a loved man by all. He will be missed. Prayers for the family.
Mary Grace, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. I have such fond memories of you and him at Stone Mountain HS. Blessings for you and your family.
Renee Eugea Grogan
Coach Spurling, thank you for the example of kindness while I attended SMHS! Enjoy your reward in Heaven!!!
Coach Spurling always had a smile on his face and never a cross word to say. He was a fine southern gentleman.
Coach Spurling always had a smile on his face and never a cross word to say. He was a fine southern gentleman.
Coach Spurling always had a smile on his face and never a cross word to say. He was a fine southern gentleman.
It was a pleasure to be one of coach Spurling’s students and one of the athletes in the wrestling program while he was a teacher and a coach.
He made it easy for us to be successful on the mat in the classroom and in life.
To the family I am sorry. He is going to be miss.
Dear Spurling Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of loss. Please know that your Dad influenced and shaped many kids during his time at Stone Moutain High.
God Bless.
Bill and Family,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Although I was never in one of his classes, he always struck me as a very kind man and a good father.
Mr. Spurling was AWESOME!! He was my very first teach in High Scool. Being a scared student and then having such a wonderful Dad figure Teacher just helped the transition better for high school. I met my Life Long Best Friend Sara Milner Toth. I pray for his surviving Family members to keep your chin up and your broken glasses on Mr. Spurling use to use his broken glasses to point at us. I was really honored to be in Mr. Spurling glass!! Thank you Mr. Spurling I wish my Niece would have been able to have you as a Teacher!!
To the Spurling Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of loss. He was a great man and a great teacher at Stone Mountain High School. He will be deeply missed.
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I have fond memories growing up and visiting with both your parents at the Spurling home. May you all find comfort in the love of family and friends.
Patti
Coach had the most Dominate AA Wresting Teams in the state of GA from 77-79. We placed 4 individuals in the state finals in 78. Stroud, Bachman, Spurling Bill Jr. I a
have been Blessed by this Great Man, Coach Spurling.
Sadly, I am just now learning of Coach Spurling’s passing. I always enjoyed your classes, and you managed to teach us something despite our best efforts to remain uneducated. 🙂 Safe travels Coach.
I just now learned of Bill’s passing. All of you six kids…..our mother’s were friends and classmates at Carson-Newman. I am greatly grieved at his passing. Please, I would very much like to catch up with ALL of you. Get in touch with me through my e-mail.