WILBUR “WILLIE” SPANN, 69 of Pittsfield, passed away Friday, February 12, 2010 at memorial Hospital in Springfield.  He was born April 15, 1940 in New Salem, IL the son of Ellis and Beulah Holdren Spann.  Wilbur served in the US Navy from 1958 – 1961 on the USS Des Moines and lived and worked on a yacht in France from 1961 – 1964.  He then returned to the US and worked various jobs including delivering gas for Skel-Gas, carpenter work, farming and raising hogs and driving a truck for Lumley Trucking in Barry.

Wilbur loved life and liked to hunt, mushrooming and fishing and was an expert in hand fishing. He enjoyed playing jokes, cooking and spending time with friends and family especially his grandson, Jayson.

His son, Mike (Karrie) Spann and grandson Jayson Spann of Milton, his former wife Barb Spann of Pittsfield and a special friend, Mary Blackorby of Barry, survive him.  One brother, Lyle (Pat) Spann of Pittsfield and four sisters, Florene Mulford of Pittsfield, Bessie Martin of Kahoka, MO, Donna Whitlock of New Salem and Marcella Hull of Savannah, TN also survive.

Two sisters; Carolina Cawthon of Barry, Maxine Bartz of LaBelle, MO and an infant brother Gary Wayne Spann preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, February 16 at the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with Rev. Al Laird officiating.  Burial will be in the Gray Cemetery with military graveside rites accorded by the Pittsfield American Legion Post #152.  Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.  on Tuesday preceding the service.  A funeral dinner will follow at the New Salem Community Center.

Memorials are suggested to the Gray Cemetery or the East Pike Fire Protection District.