Obituary of Alvin Wayne Spradley

On November 11, 1937, Wayne Spradley was born to James T. and Josephine Whitten Spradley in the Avondale Mills Village in Pell City, Alabama. Wayne passed away on April 9, 2022. He grew up playing cowboys and Indians, playing football and drawing. Wayne's talent as an artist was evident at a very early age. Miss Iola Roberts, principal of his school, would call his mother to her office. She always thought that he was in trouble, but actually she was showing her his artwork. Miss Iola would bring him to her office to draw for her, that's why he laughed and said that he never learned to spell or do math very well. Wayne continued his art with a passion throughout his youth. After graduating from Pell City High School, he joined the U.S. Navy where he saw the world, and learned to love the ocean. After Wayne served his country, he came home and married Patricia Rich from Cook Springs, Alabama. Wayne and Pat had two sons, Donald D. "Scooter" Spradley (Lisa Phillips Spradley) and Jerry W. "Buddy" Spradley. He worked at Connor Steel in Birmingham, Alabama and he continued painting. He became a professional artist in 1968. His family would go to art shows, museums, and galleries every weekend. No matter where in the country he was, he always made sure that Scooter and Buddy were back in school by Monday. Wayne's prowess as an artist began to bloom and flourish. After hundreds of art shows and over five hundred major art awards including Arts for the Parks, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Interior top 100 artists for 7 years, Duck Stamps, Wild Turkey Stamps, Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year, Wildlife Federation, and many more. Wayne's paintings are in the collections of past U.S. Presidents Carter and both Presidents Bush, and paintings in the Smithsonian Museum of Art as well as in prestigious corporate and private collections all over the world. Wayne was also an artist for NASCAR doing paintings for major NASCAR drivers and the museum in Talladega. Wayne was always about family. He and Pat would always do things together and everyone being together was very important to them. Also, very important to him, bas being a strong Christian and he had a faith that could move mountains. As a family, he would take his sons fishing, Indian relic hunting, and riding every backroad in the Southeast while he sketched and took photographs. Through his paintings, you could tell where he had been and what he was thinking about. Each painting told its own individual story. Art was the focus of the Wayne Spradley family, with his talents being shared by both of his sons. Wayne Spradley was also an art teacher teaching locally and teaching seminars and workshops all over the Southeast. Wayne loved to teach others about art, sharing his talents with others and encouraging them to go for it and do it. He was that kind of man; he was generous in all aspects of his life. Wayne was a kind, gentle, strong, and caring man always putting God first. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Rich Spradley; and by his parents, James T. Spradley and Josephine Whitten Spradley. He is survived by his two sons, Donald D. "Scooter" Spradley (Lisa Phillips Spradley) and Jerry Wayne "Buddy" Spradley; grandchildren, Corey Spradley and Caitlin Spradley; and one great-grandchild. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Usrey Funeral Home - Pell City. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Cook Springs Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Michael Barber officiating. Condolences may be offered online at www.usreyfuneralhome.com.