Early Wilkerson Spiars

Early Wilkerson Spiars, 88, of College Station, passed away on April 6, 2023 with his wife, Jackie, by his side. Early was born on December 24, 1934 in Greenville, Mississippi to Marshall and Josephine Spiars. He graduated from Rolling Fork High School in 1951, attended Southern Louisiana College, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Old Dominion University and a Masters of Business Administration while he was stationed at Camp Pendleton.

As a teenager, Early spent his summers working in Yosemite Park in California or in Yellowstone Park in Wyoming. In 1955, he began his career in the Marine Corps, where he became an aviator and served our country for 26 years, reaching the rank of Lt. Col. During his military service, he met and married the love of his life, Jacelyn Rohner Spiars.

When he wasn’t flying, some of Early’s hobbies included water skiing, hunting, gardening, reading, attending air shows, riding his motorcycle, taking his grandchildren on rides on his motorcycle, and teaching his children and grandchildren how to shoot and gun safety. His life was full of laughter and mischief. He loved every member of his family and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family and friends and sharing stories. The sometimes embellished tales of his life adventures usually had those listening to him laughing and entertained. He was generous with his time to counsel family and/or friends about cars, guns, romance, and school. He was well loved and respected by all who knew him. He will be dearly missed.

Early was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall and Josephine Spiars, grand daughter Taelor Alexas Roenigk, and sister-in-law and her husband, Margaret and Glenn Hepner. He is survived by his wife, Jackie Spiars, his children, Randy Spiars (Linda), Rusty Spiars, Shawn Spiars (Emily), Kevin Spiars, Nanette Roenigk (Mark), John Spiars, and Tim Spiars (Joanna), his grandchildren, Adam (Jean), Joshua (Taylor), Caleb T. (Lauren), Caleb P. (Brittany), Marshall (Taylor), Justin (Brooke), Nickolas, Austen (Tori Grace), Elijah, Andrew, John, Rebekah, Jessica (Chase), Kathryn, Audrey, Anna, Aly Jo (Tyler), Kelly, Abby, and numerous great grandchildren.

In lieu of sending flowers, Early asked that donations be made to Taelor’s House Foundation (THF) to honor the memory of his grand daughter, Taelor.
Donations to THF may be mailed to 3550 Natures Way, New Braunfels, TX 78132 or done online at taelorshouse.org.