William Fred Spears, Sr, age 95 of Malvern, died Monday afternoon, January 12, 2009 in the Hot Spring County Medical Center. He was born in Malvern on March 30, 1913 to the late Will and Mollie Smith Spears. Reared and educated in Malvern, he was a member of Third Baptist Church. Mr. Spears worked in Civil Service as a heavy equipment operator and machinist for the United States Navy. He was also a longtime employee of Malvern Gravel Company. An avid hunter, he was the last surviving charter member of the Malvern Hunting Club. He was the widower of the late Pearl Jones Spears, who preceded him in death in 1971, and the late Ambrey Caroll Spears, who died in 1974.

His survivors include: a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Henderson, a son Fred Spears and his wife, Pat, all of Malvern; two brothers, Oscar Spears of Oak Grove and George Spears of Malvern; his grandchildren, Crystal and David Penny, Kelly and Greg Crippen, Fred, III, and Tasha Spears, Neal Spears, and Lane and Kelli McKim; his great-grandchildren, Derek Rodgers, Weslea Rodgers, Paxton Penny, Peyton Penny, Katy Spears, Savannah Spears, and Emma Spears; two step-great-grandchildren, Taylor Crippen and Dalton Ivey.

Mr. Spears was also preceded in death by two sisters, Clara Spears Chanell and Kate Spears Daniels, and two brothers, Ben Spears and Edgar Spears.

The family will receive friends at J. A. Funk Funeral Home on Tuesday evening, January 13, 2009, from six until eight o'clock.

Graveside services will be held in Rockport Cemetery at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon, January 14, 2009, with his grandson, Freddie Spears, III officiating.

Pallbearers are Freddie Spears, III, Neal Spears, Lane McKim, David Penny, Paxton Penny, and Derek Rodgers.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com