Alfred Billy Spakes

Alfred Billy Spakes, Sr. (Bill) passed away on December 21, 2011. Bill was born May 25, 1920 to Walter and Catherine Spakes in Thornton Texas. Bill and his family moved to Amarillo, Waco and Austin for his work in the newspaper industry. Before retiring from the Austin American-Statesman after twenty years, Bill also worked for the Amarillo Globe News and the Waco newspaper. After retiring from the Statesman, Bill worked for MD Anderson of Bastrop for seven years. Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years, Letha Magdalene Sterling Spakes. He is also survived by six children: Alfred ‘Bill’ Spakes, Jr.; Jimmy Spakes, Sr. and wife, Jane; Rex Spakes; Larry Spakes; Jackie Burgh and husband, Jeff; and Sandy Humphreys. Grandchildren include: Alfred ‘Bill’ Spakes III; Tanya Walton; Jimmy Spakes, Jr.; Jon Spakes; Amanda Blissett; Ashley Spakes; Misty Spakes; Brandon Stacks; LeeAnne Spakes; Hannah Spakes; Jacob Spakes; Maura Gibson; Brandi Duncan; Chris Humphreys and Ashton Humphreys. Bill also has 20 great-grandchildren. Bill is preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Linda Scheumack and 4 grandchildren: Dena Scheumack, Natalie Scheumack, Darlynn Scheumack and Nathaniel ‘Colt’ Scheumack. The family would like to thank Bill’s caregivers from the past months: Sue Bowen from the Generations unit; Erika Clemons; Maria Santa-Maria; and especially Rosa Hernandez and Yvonne Rodriguez for making us all comfortable at the end and Suzanne Breit-Perez for her continued nursing care and support. Funeral arrangements will be held at 10:00 a.m. on 12/24/2011 at Providence Funeral Home in Bastrop with interment following at Oak Hill Cemetery.