Obituary of William R. Speanburg

William R. “Bill” Speanburg, born June 11, 1935, passed peacefully at 90 years young on December 10, 2025. If you’ve ever met Bill he offered a firm handshake, a genuine smile, a listening ear, a good joke, and a carton of eggs or fresh vegetables from his bountiful garden to anyone he crossed paths with.

Bill grew up in Valley Falls, NY with his parents, William and Margaret D’Jernes Speanburg, and four siblings, Eniar D’Jernes (late, Mary), his twin Linda Delurey (late, Donald), Ruth O’Connor (late, Charlie), and George Speanburg. He was a proud member of the first graduating class of 1954 from Hoosic Valley High School in Schaghticoke.

After graduating, he served in the Army stationed in Arlington, Virginia from 1956 to 1958 where he proudly met the Queen of England. More notably, he also met his loving wife of 67 years, Carolyn F. Ude Speanburg. Bill deeply loved his family. Devoted father to three daughters Barbara Ann Speanburg-Morgan (late, Kevin Morgan), Bonnie Lynn Speanburg (George Snyder), and Brenda Lee Speanburg Stevens, cherished grandfather of Katie Speanburg (Michael Boel), Noah Stevens, Molly Speanburg Myers (Daniel), and Kolbie Snyder (Leah Murphy), adored great grandfather of Isabel Myers Speanburg, Alexander Myers Speanburg, and William Speanburg.

He built a wonderful life, full of memories, including weekend camping adventures on the Battenkill River and annual summer vacations to York Beach, Maine, and tending to his many farm animals on the Speanburg farm. Bill loved his job and the life long friends he made driving trucks for the Grand Union Company for over 30 years. Bill was a life long member and volunteer at the VFW Post 1938, Valley Falls, American Legion, Stillwater, and Faith Lutheran Church, Troy. In retirement he was a gentleman farmer at his beloved Broken Handle Ranch. He and Carolyn enjoyed traveling across the United States and Canada. You could also find him spending countless hours playing cards with his grandchildren and family or anyone who’d play.

If you had a chance to know Bill, your life was better and happier as a result. His family and friends are blessed by the amazing memories and moments that will live on forever in their hearts.

Relatives and friends are invited to join Bill’s family on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for Visitation and for the Funeral Service which will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 50 Leversee Rd., Troy, NY 12182. After the service you are also welcome to join the family at a reception in Bill’s honor at the VFW Post 1938, 242 Poplar Avenue Valley Falls, NY 12185.

Spring Interment with Military Honors will be held in Elmwood Cemetery, Schaghticoke which will be published on the funeral home website when the date and time are known.

The Speanburg family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to The Danforth Adult Care Center and Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. 

Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to the Valley Falls Library, PO Box 296, Valley Falls, NY 12185 or the VFW Post 1938, 242 Poplar Avenue Valley Falls, NY 12185.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted by the family to the care of the White-Sanvidge Funeral Home, 58 Leversee Rd., Troy, NY 12182 

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