Rev. William M. Spangler
November 26, 1928 ~ May 1, 2020
Rev. William M. Spangler, age 91, passed away Friday, May 1, 2020 at Geauga Hospital. He was born November 26, 1928 in Akron to Florence (Morris) and Clinton Spangler. He married Margaret “ Peggy” Lydic on June 14, 1957.
William was a graduate of North High School in Akron. He graduated from Akron University as an English Major in 1950 and Lexington Theological Seminary in 1954. William served as Pastor at Stow Community Church in Lisbon, OH, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Beaver Falls, PA and East End Christian Church in Pittsburgh, PA. He retired from Mentor Christian Church after serving 23 years. He also served as the first director of the East End Cooperative Ministry in Pittsburgh and on the board of directors of Hospice of the Western Reserve.
He enjoyed music, astronomy, camping, and hiking. He also enjoyed lifting weights at the Painesville YMCA for 46 years. Most of all he enjoyed people.
He is survived by his children, Elaine (Michael) Mastromatteo, Clinton (Pam) Spangler; grandchildren, Rielle (Richard), Tony (Stacey), Amelia (Adam), Graham (Rachel); and great-grandchildren Kathryn, Vincent, and Anna. Rev. William is preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Margaret “Peggy”; parents; and brother, Charles.
Private family services will be observed at this time. William’s final resting place will be with his wife at Riverside Cemetery in Painesville Ohio.
The Behm Family Funeral Home is in service to Rev. William’s family. Contributions may be made to Central Christian Church, 2051 E Market Street, Warren, OH 44483, and/or Hospice of the Western Reserve, PO Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192.
Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com
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My first memory ofUncle Bill was him teasing me, calling me Kimberly Dan (vs Anne); my last of talking to him about how much he missed his beloved Peggy. In between were many fond memories of visits, with his Questar telescope, his mastery of the piano, his Christmas poems, and his great sense of humor. We will miss him Love, Kim and Greg
My wife Joyce and I remember Bill and Peggy from when he was at Mentor. We were serving our first Church and Bill was very much a mentor for me as a new Pastor. I will always remember with love his caring and quiet sense of joy that seemed to radiate from both his and Peggy. The Christian Church is better for his journeying with us, and I am better servant of God by his example. Eternal rest grant unto you, good and faithful servant.
I always enjoyed Bill's presence at the Spiritual Life Retreats when he would make it. I think he even led it a couple of times. What a wonderful life he lived and shared with us. Praise be to God. Stephen Bentley
I taught exercise classes to Bill and he always worked his hardest, every day. More than once I had to tell him to lighten his weights or stop for a minute because he pushed so hard. He also loaned me his Scientific AMERICAN magazines and we would discuss some of the articles we both read. I will miss him a lot.
I am sad to have lost a best friend of over 46 years. We confided in each other like brothers , in good times and hard times , and always had a good laugh through most everything. It feels good to know we had a very long visit at his assisted living facility before the virus ban stopped visitations. It also feels good to know he is together with his wife Peggy again as he told me many times how much he missed her. Rest In Peace Bill , I will look forward to seeing you again in the promised land. Bill Bolinger
In memory of Rev. William M. Spangler, Sharon Thomas, FranklinCircle Church lit a candle
Our condolences to Rev. Spangler's family. As members of Mentor Christian Church when Bill started there, we remember him and his wonderful wife Peggy fondly. They were a terrific “team.” Dave and Pat Shockey, Leesburg, FL
Bill was a kind and gentle soul. I got to know him as he served as a Hospice of the Western Reserve's Board member which he did for many years. For some time he participated on four committees simultaneously. They were the Human Resource, Volunteer, Medical Advisory and Program and the Governance Committees. Bill was a deep thinker and well read person. He periodically brought me articles on philosophy, spirituality and history. He was knowledgeable about contemporary events and trends and reflected their meaning in our time and in a historical context. My condolences to his family and friends.
We at Central Congregational Church in Madison enjoyed Pastor Bill's time with us as our interim pastor many years ago. He was always enlightening, kind and truly had a gift with writing and poetry. He and his wife Peggy were lovely people and we are all so glad they were a part of our church family at one time. Danelle Miller, Central Congregational Church, Madison Ohio
We are sorry for your loss. Our family was blessed to have met Rev. Spangler through his work with Hospice of the Western Reserve. He regularly came to our home to minister to my father in law who had suffered a debilitating stroke, leaving him without the ability to speak. Rev. Spangler was so kind, so patient as he gently led him to confirm his faith, get baptized and accept communion. Rest in God's loving arms, Rev. Spangler. Kindest regards, Rick & Keira Ciora