Mr. Samuel "Bill" Lowe Spry, Jr. age 93 of Huntsville, passed from this life peacefully in the care of his loving family.  A native of Rogersville, he was born to Samuel Lowe and Birdie  (Thorton) Spry.  He played leatherhead football for Lauderdale County High School.  Upon graduating from Lauderdale County High School, he joined the Army Air Corps and learned to pilot B-17s at Courtland Airfield during World War II.  After WWII he was stationed at Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Marie Maxfield.  Sam and Marilyn were married in 1946 and lived in different parts of the U.S.  Sam graduated from the University of Virginia, with a bachelors in business, though he loved his University of Alabama football.  He then moved to Huntsville in 1957 to re-enter the family business.  From 1957 to present Mr. Sam worked hard to serve the families of Huntsville, North Alabama, and Southern Tennessee.  In 1968 he was elected Coroner of Madison County and served for 20 years, to include being Sheriff of Madison County for two weeks.  Sam went back to school, not needing to, to get his associates degree in Mortuary Science from Jefferson State Community College in 1976.  Mr. Spry was on the advisory board for Jefferson State from June 29, 1972 until when he passed.  Sam was a life long funeral director being awarded his 70 year pin in 2015 from the Alabama Funeral Directors Association.  Bishop Spry was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in many capacities to include Bishop and the High Council.  Sam "Papa" was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all he met.

Sam was preceded in death by his loving wife, of 62 years, Marilyn "Nana" (Maxfield) Spry, two daughters, Sheila Diane Spry and Pamela Jane Spry, and son, William Layton Spry.

Mr. Spry is survived by his daughter, Susan Keli (Spry) Padot, and husband David; brother, James Spry, and wife Robbie; six grandchildren, J. Christopher Martin, and wife Belinda, Keli Marie Scearce, and husband Jason, Samuel Soland Spry, Andrew Layton Spry, Cara Jane Gresham, and Christopher Vincent Gresham; nine great-grandchildren, Jeffrey Maxfield Martin, Hunter Lee Scearce, Shaun Christopher Martin, Samuel Landon Scearce, Kailyn Aubrey Martin, Henry Liam Scearce, Cooper Layton Scearce, Ty Jason Sewell, and Layna Grace Sewell; daughter-in-law, Debbie Soland Spry; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is also survived by his staff at Spry Funeral Home, Steve Farrar, Daisy White, Ryan Livingston, David Young, Jerry Wilson, Jerry Schmidt, Larry Billiter, Fred Daly, Halley Proctor, Gina Haynsworth, Jessica Bowen, George Martin(retired) and Bobbie Jean Shelton(retired).  He was a wonderful and compassionate leader, employer, and friend.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Spry Funeral Home of Huntsville, where the family will receive friends Tuesday from 4:00 until 7:00pm.  Bishop Spry will lie-in-state Wednesday from 11:30 until 12:45 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Byrd Springs Road.  Funeral service will follow at 1:00pm in the Chapel with Bishop Terry Stifflemire Conducting.  Interment will follow at Valley View Memorial Gardens, in Meridianville, AL.

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