William Orville Spradling

William Orville Spradling, 98, of Big Spring, passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, March 4, 2022 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, March 5, 2022 at First United Methodist Church of Big Spring with Rev. Ricky Carstensen, officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park.

Orville was born December 28, 1923 in Stump Toe, Texas not far from Greenville. Orville’s younger years growing up on the small family farm in east Texas were difficult, not unlike many who grew up during the depression. He worked hard and excelled at boxing, becoming a golden gloves champion. After graduating from Greenville High School, Orville went on to enroll into Texas Tech in 1941 to study chemical engineering. It was at that time he would go on to meet the love of his life, Reta Mae, at a regional youth group church meeting. Unfortunately war was starting to rage and he was drafted. He would have to leave school and Reta behind, but before he could be sent off, Orville and Reta were able to marry on June 3, 1944 at Camp Rucker in Coffee County, Alabama. Orville served in the 3rd Army, 93rd Chemical Mortar Battalion as a staff sergeant. He fought in numerous battles, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhine River Crossing. He was also among the soldiers that liberated Buchenwald concentration camp. One of his proudest accomplishments would be that he brought everyone home safely under his command.

Orville would eventually return to Reta and Texas Tech. In 1947, Orville would be blessed with his first son, Rusty, and two years later, his second son, Michael, was born. He went on to work for GTE, selling “Yellow Pages” in almost every small town in the country. Orville’s career required he travel extensively and in doing so, was able to visit all 50 states. He worked his way up to upper management and retired in 1985 as the Director of New Ventures. Orville and Reta would return to Big Spring and spend their golden years together at Bigony Farms.

Orville was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Big Spring. He was also a devoted Mason and Shriner, having been a member for 73 years.

Orville is survived by his youngest son, Michael Spradling of Santa Fe, New Mexico; one granddaughter, Angie Spradling; two grandsons, Ryan Patton Spradling and Dr. Robin Patrick Spradling; one daughter-in-law, Chong Suk Spradling of Henderson, NV and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Richard and Ila Mae (Crable) Spradling; one son, William Orville “Rusty” Spradling, Jr.; four brothers David, Hubert, Charles, and Gordon Wesley; two sisters Mille and Nancy; and wife Reta Mae (Bigony) Spradling.

The family suggest memorials be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at: www.npwelch.com