No picture provided.

Family Tree:
Spouse:  Dorothy Louella Lee

Children:  Ted LeRoy Spurgeon
Gary Lynn Spurgeon
Carolyn Ann Spurgeon Dill Poore

Grandchildren:  Ted Le Roy Spurgeon Jr.
Scott Edward Spurgeon
Richard Allen Spurgeon
Andrew William Dill
Great Grandchildren
Tanner Scott Spurgeon
Dalton Matthew Spurgeon


Parents:  William A and Joy Marguarite (McCartney)
Step-Parents
William Henry and Hope Wittig

Siblings:  Bernard Spurgeon
Harold Spurgeon
Robert Spurgeon
Mary Spurgeon

Grandparents:  None listed
 
Family Legacies™  
  Cemetery Location    Map to Gravesite

William O. Spurgeon

Birth Date: 10/19/1920
Death Date: 4/19/2004
West Ridge Park Cemetery
Redemption, Section RC, Row F, Crypt 37


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.

  Photo Scrapbook
  

Ozzie and best friend Stanley Cox playing in the pond where they learned to swim as children and Ozzie on Irquois River in Wateska, IL.



Ozzie in pilot's seat in one of his planes.



Dorothy, Carolyn and Ozzie around 1955.



EAA Biplane built in Ozzie's garage.



Ozzie and some of his airplanes past and current.



Dorothy and Ozzie's 40th anniversary (Surprise!) Ozzie at his home he created and lived in for 62 years. His Biplane was built in the garage behind him. and Ozzie at age 59.



Thanksgiving with family, Ozzie's job was peeling the potatoes, followed by a nap.



Christmas for Spurgeon family was always made special.



Ozzie and Dorothy with family at Ozzie's 80th surprise party, at the Speedway Airport.



Ozzie with Rowdy his canine companion. Ozzie with pet raccoons.


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