William P. (Billy) Spalding

William Prescott Spalding, 75, lifelong resident of West Newbury, passed away unexpectedly in his home early on Friday morning, June 21, 2024. He was the loving husband to Dianne E. (Willey) Spalding for 50 wonderful years.

Born in Newburyport, January 29, 1949,” Billy,” as he was known by all, was the oldest of 10 children of the late Prescott L. and J. Patricia (McLaughlin) Spalding, and was a graduate of Pentucket Regional High School, Class of 1967.

Shortly after his graduation, Billy entered the U.S. Navy on June 19, 1968 gladly serving his country until his honorable discharge on May 16, 1972, with the rank of FTG-3. Billy had the opportunity to travel the world to a total of 28 countries, all names noted proudly on his treasured sea bag.

Billy was a self-made business man, who owned and operated WP Spalding Construction Company for over 30 years, working in excavation and construction throughout his life; he was still working on a project he expected to complete when he passed.

As hardworking as he was, Billy never neglected spending time with his family. He shared countless adventures with the love of his life, Dianne, cruising to Panama, trips to Florida and South Carolina, impromptu road trips in his favorite sporty Corvette up the coast of Maine to quiet little restaurants or enjoying local fare with waitstaff who became friends. Grand family trips to Disney World and New York City will always be fondly remembered. Billy truly felt blessed with the love and appreciation he received from his family as well as his siblings and their families.

Mostly, Billy cherished the simple joys of life with family and friends: holiday traditions, quiet nights after work sitting in his favorite chair with his trusty cat Daisy snuggled in his lap, tending to his beautiful, perfectly manicured gardens, and watching the many birds enjoying his well-filled bird feeders in his backyard. Billy had quite a collection of antiques: most notably, vintage cars, trucks and tractors, and his collection of antique clocks which he meticulously wound once a week so they could all chime together on the hour. Above all, nothing compared to the love and pride that he had for his four grandchildren.

Billy had the innate ability to light up a room with his sparkling eyes, his enthusiasm, his stories, his humor, his infectious laugh and his dancing jigs in the kitchen with his grandchildren. He gave his love generously and had the unique gift of making everyone around him feel special and respected. His love, kindness and compassion will be profoundly missed, especially by his family and friends he held so dearly.

The special memories he created will forever be treasured by his wife, Dianne; his two daughters, Andrea Spalding and her significant other, Jason Dick; and Sarah Ditchfield and husband David; his four grandchildren, who held a very special place in his heart, Colin and Joseph Costa and Jennifer and Blake Ditchfield; his siblings, Susanne P. Antanavich and husband Bernard, Margaret A. “Maggie” Spalding, Mary P. Pelletier, Edmund M. Spalding, John Spalding and wife Christine, Catherine F. Maker and husband Donald, and Martha A. Neenan and husband William, along with countless generations of nieces and nephews, extended family and many, many dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother, Timothy D. Spalding, who died in 2009 and his sister, Sandra M. Gibbons, who died in 2016.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, June 28, 2024 from 4 to 8 P.M. at the Highland Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 10:30 am at St. Ann Church of the Holy Redeemer Parish, 300 Main Street, West Newbury, MA followed by burial at the Walnut Hill Cemetery, 92-116 Bachelor Street, West Newbury, where Billy will be laid to eternal rest. We will never forget you, Billy, you will live in our hearts forever.

In lieu of flowers, please consider providing a donation by check, in support of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Checks can be made out to Friends of Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Inc. 6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950. Please include a note that this donation is provided in memory of Billy Spalding.