Alvin E. Spreen

Alvin E. Spreen, 82, of Ballinger passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, August 1, 2009, surrounded by his family.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2009 at Lange Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday August 4th, at the Ballinger First Baptist Church with the reverends Bobby Broyles and Ferris Akins officiating.
Alvin was born on November 20, 1926 in Ballinger to the pioneer family of Albert H. and Mathilda (Lange) Spreen. He proudly served his country with the US Army – Air Force during WW II. He returned to Ballinger and married Janice Conner on December 1, 1951. He was a life-long rancher in the Runnels County area. A member of the First Baptist Church of Ballinger, Alvin was very active in the community. A Master Mason with the Ballinger Lodge # 643, he received his fifty year pin. He served as a volunteer fireman for Ballinger Volunteer Fire Department for over 35 years and as a sergeant with the Special Police Forces, which later became the Runnels County Reserve Sheriff’s Department. He also held the record of fifteen consecutive years as a Ballinger ISD School Board member and officer, serving at the time the present high school was built. Alvin was a charter member of the Ballinger Rodeo Association and Ballinger Riding Club. Past and present members of these organizations are recognized as honorary pallbearers.
Alvin is survived by his wife Janice (Conner) of Ballinger; daughter Gay Ann Fuller and husband James of Richmond; son Robb Spreen of Austin; sister Julia Spreen of San Angelo; and brother, Ralph Spreen and wife Joyce of Ballinger. Grandchildren include Kathrin Yokubaitis and husband Ryan of Dallas; Madeleine and John Fuller of Richmond; and great-granddaughter Addison of Richmond. Special family and friends include D. Joyce Spreen; Buddy Stokes; Ben, Betty, Tommy and Greg Parrish; and Dorothy Dankworth.
Memorials may be made to West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Ballinger Volunteer Fire Department, Ballinger Carnegie Library, or a hospice.