REEDVILLE—William Lynn Spriggs, native son of Reedville, departed this life September 9, 2021, at the age of 81.
A graduate of Northumberland High School, Bill was also a class of 1959 post graduate of Staunton Military Academy and earned a degree in business and accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University. He was an Army veteran who served in Germany. Bill worked in accounting in Virginia and California.
Bill was an avid enthusiast of all things maritime and loved to visit seaports from Maine to Florida. His workshop at his home was his happy place where he created colorful strings of crab pot and lobster buoys as well as carving trailboards of boats’ names to sell in his home business.
The menhaden industry fascinated him and learning from fishboat captains in his youth, he became an expert on the menhaden fleet. When speaking of his experiences working on the Winterquarter, the menhaden steamer his father captained in Lewes, Delaware, Bill described that time as one of the happiest of his life.
A loyal and devoted friend to his friends, especially Gaylord Ray, Bobby Vanlandingham, Debbie Newsome and Tommy Beatley, Bill will be missed and his memory cherished.
Born in Richmond to the late Leslie Morrison Spriggs Sr. and Lottie Irene Whittaker Spriggs of Reedville, Bill was predeceased by his older brother Leslie Spriggs Jr.
He is survived by his sister, Janet A. Spriggs Lewis (Emory) of Fleeton; two nephews, four great-nieces, one great-nephew and several cousins.
Visitation was from 5-6 p.m. Monday, September 13, at Currie Funeral Home in Kilmarnock. A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, September 14, at Roseland Cemetery. Bill was interred next to his parents.
Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 77, Reedville, VA 22539; or the United Network Organ Sharing, 700 North Fourth Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
