William J. Spry

On October 13, 2013, William (‘Bill’) J. Spry, age 89, of Niagara Falls -- formerly of Youngstown, NY -- passed away while living in Wexford, PA. Family and friends will hold a Graveside Service at the Busti NY Cemetery on November 29, at 2 pm. Please consider making Memorial Contributions to the Salvation Army and/or your local VFW Chapter. The Spry family gratefully acknowledges the caring arrangements overseen by Simons Funeral Home, Inc., 7720 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA. www.salvationarmyusa.org -- http://www.vfw.org -- www.simonsfuneralhome.com Loving Husband of Beverley Roberts Gounard-Spry and the late Margaret Anderson Spry; Honored Father of Kathleen M. Spry of Cleveland, OH, Elsie M. (Hans A. Ward) Spry of Wexford, PA, Mary J.S. (Christopher N.) Roth of Easton, PA, and David B. Spry of Niagara Falls; Proud Grandfather of 9 grandchildren; Joyful Uncle to 4 nephews, 6 grand nephews, and 2 grand nieces. A Veteran of WWII, Bill served in the SHAEF forces, guarding the command compound prior to D Day; and -- when not fighting on the ground -- generally repaired autos, maintained communication systems, and ran the projector for the commander and his aides throughout the war. He stormed the beaches two days after D-Day on June 8, 1944, to the right of the 29th division, and survived the final invasion campaign of Germany. He received his PhD. in Physics in 1954, and while a research leader at Union Carbide in the early 1960’s, was the first to discover how to manufacture carbon fibers from rayon. He also worked as the Associate Director of the Materials Science Center, Cornell University, as a Manager at Carborundum, and as an Executive for Great Lakes Carbon. Awarded multiple patents, Bill has 4 currently active in the US, Great Britain, and New Zealand. An avid sailor, Bill cruised Lake Ontario for several decades, finally donating his beloved boat, April, to the Sea Scouts in Cleveland, OH. He also served as President and Active Member of the Lewiston Porter School Board, and of the Youngstown Township (NY) Zoning Commission. Bill’s ongoing curiosity, scientific inquiry, humor, and wisdom will be sorely missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the world. A true American member of the greatest generation. Eighty-nine years was just not long enough...

William J. Spry

February 24, 1924 - October 13, 2013