William Osborn "Ozzie" Spurgeon was born October 19, 1920 in Edinburg, Indiana, the first of two sons of Joy Maragrite (McCartney) and William Avard Spurgeon. At the age of 6 years old his parents divorced and his grandmother, Blanche McCartney, assumed custody of Ozzie, his brother and cousin. The family left Edinburg in 1928, as Mrs. McCartney's then husband was a sign painter by profession and followed carnivals for work. During this time their home was a homemade travel trailer and they moved often from town to town through the Dakotas and Illinois in order for Mr. Harry Sweet to support this family. Their last mainstay before the death of Ozzie's grandmother was Watseka, IL. Because Ozzie was not allowed to entertain friends, Ozzie purchased a small rowboat and entertained himself with river activities on the Iroquois River. After his grandmother's death the Spurgeon children were reunited with their mother in Indianapolis. He attended Fleming Gardens Grade School on the west side of Indianapolis. In 1938 Ozzie joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC) to help with family finances, sending his earning home to his mother. While in the CC he did road and forestry work in Utah and other western states.
On December 20, 1941 Ozzie married Dorothy L. Lee, a marriage of 61 + years. To this couple three children were born, Ted LeRoy was born on October 1, 1942, Gary Lynn was born on April 28, 1946 and Carolyn Ann was born March 25, 1952. They lived in their Westside home 61 years and raised their children in this home, adding on as the family grew. All members of the family proudly attended Ben Davis schools.
In 1941 Ozzie joined the New York Central Railroad as a member of the track crew. After 41 + years of service to the railroad, he retired his position of lead signal maintainer for Conrail in 1981.
Ozzie had a passion for flying. In 1942 he earned his private pilot's license. While raising his three children, he built an EAA Biplane in his garage, taking 13 years to complete due o a strapped income and family obligations. He had a Skylite Ultralight Airplane 2/3 complete and also owed a Cessna 150 at the time of his death. In the late 40's he and Dorothy managed the Bargersville Airport in Bargersville, Indiana. Ozzie owned several other private airplanes during his lifetime.
Ozzie was quite a genius and handyman, finding a way to fix or make something work whether it was electrical, mechanical or woodworking. He was very meticulous and kept his garage and workshop the same. He was the neighborhood fit-it man that everybody came to if they needed something fixed. He was the neighborhood barber for those who could not afford to go to a barbershop, charging nothing but their friendship.
Ozzie was the most wonderful and devoted husband, father of three, grandfather of 4 and great grandfather of 2. He so much loved his wife and family and was so much loved by them.
Dad you are missed so much and will be loved forever and ever. |