Dr. Lawrence Ward Spradley, age 80, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022. Lawrence was born April 19, 1941, in Leeds, Alabama, the son of A.J. and Ozelene Spradley of Sterrett, Alabama.
He was preceded in death by his parents A.J. and Ozelene Spradley, brother, Leon Spradley, and granddaughter Kinsey Jacklyn Spradley. He is survived by his wife Betty Spradley, son Darryl (Billie), daughter Krista Spradley Chambless (Ric), brother Harold Spradley (Joan), and grandchildren Wilson (Chelsea) Chambless, Wesley Chambless, Emma Chambless, Taylor Spradley, Eryn Spradley, and great-grandson Sterling Chambless.
After graduating from Vincent High School, Lawrence left Sterrett, Alabama, to attend the University of Montevallo. Upon graduating with honors, he married his high school sweetheart Betty Stillwell, and they moved to New Jersey where he attended Stevens Institute of Technology to earn a master’s degree. In 1966, Lawrence and Betty came home to settle in Huntsville, Alabama, where he began his career at Lockheed as an aerospace engineer. Twenty-five years later, he retired and began his own engineering business. In 1999, he achieved his dream of completing his Ph.D. at UAH. He then watched and reveled in seeing both Darryl and Krista complete their post-graduate degrees.
During all those years, Lawrence and Betty started a family having a son, Darryl, and daughter, Krista. He loved coaching little league and basketball, attending swim meets and piano recitals, and taking vacations with his family. Lawrence enjoyed attending Alabama football and watching his beloved Braves (a passion that he passed on to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandson). He also loved and supported his grandchildren when playing sports as well as dancing and choral recitals. Another of his favorite things was to take his entire family to Panama City Beach on vacation each year watching the waves and eating snapper at Captain Anderson’s.
Until his later years, he enjoyed traveling with Betty and their friends to tailgate at away Alabama games, his annual canoeing trips with the guys, and later his weekly lunches with them at Wings. Since closing his engineering business, he spent his days watching and analyzing the stock market teaching his grandchildren how to invest and manage their money.
The visitation will be Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. and the service will begin at 2:00 pm at Aldersgate United Methodist Church 12901 Bailey Cove Rd SE, Huntsville, AL. Burial will be at Hampton Cove Cemetery, Owens Crossroads, Alabama. The officiants will be Rev. Todd Henderson & Charles W. Stewart. Pall Bearers will be Wilson Chambless & Wesley Chambless (Grandsons), Kevin Spradley (Nephew), Jon Cummings & Gary Caballero (Nephews-in-law), and William Cabellero (Great-Nephew). Honorary Pall Bearers will be Harold Spradley (Brother), William Greenleaf (Brother-in-Law), Jim McAnally (Friend & Colleague), Harold Justice (Life-long Friend), Ken Xiques (Friend & Colleague) & John Price (Friend & Colleague).
Spry Memorial Chapel assisted the family. To have us sign the book for you, please free to call or to leave private condolences, please visit our website at www.sprymemorialchapel.com.
