William Roy Spurrier ….
William Roy Spurrier
1924-2025
William “Bill” Roy Spurrier was born on Sept. 30, 1924 in Burbank, California. He grew up on his family’s chicken ranch in Chatsworth, California, with his parents Leta and Fred Spurrier and sister Betty Barksdale. They later moved to Long Beach, California.
After graduating from Poly High School, Bill was drafted into WWII as a radio operator/ gunner on B-26 Marauders. Bill met his future wife, June Meckley, at Long Beach Community College. They were married in 1950 and raised three daughters, Cheryl, Gail and Karla.
Bill was a firefighter with the Long Beach Fire Department for 29 years, retiring as deputy Chief. He was a co-founder of the Long Beach Search and Rescue and volunteered as an advisor for 35 years. Bill and June retired to Los Osos, California.
Their retirement included golfing, traveling and time with family and friends.
In 2005, Bill and June moved to Leisure World. June passed away in 2006. In 2008, Bill married Janet Bennett, a longtime family friend. They enjoyed traveling, WWII reunions and family dinners. In 2024, Bill celebrated his 100th birthday with his family.
On Jan. 25, 2025, Bill passed away. Janet passed peacefully 12 days later. Bill is survived by his daughters, Cheryl (Tom) Bailey, Gail (Mark) Curtis and Karla (Brian) Gibbons, two grandchildren Charley (Brooke) Curtis and Sarah (Matt) Harris, and three great-grandchildren Emily and Hazel Curtis and Adrian Harris.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of William Spurrier to the Long Beach Search and Rescue and Long Beach Firefighters Museum. A Memorial will be held to celebrate Bill’s life at Leisure World, Clubhouse 4, March 21, at 2 p.m.
