Alfred Bernard Spohler, Jr.

Alfred Bernard Spohler, Jr., 82, of San Antonio, formerly of Gonzales, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2015. Alfred was born June 23, 1932 in Seguin to Alfred B Spohler, Sr. and Erna Nagel Spohler.

He graduated from Gonzales High School and married his high school sweetheart, Billie Jean Bartels, a few months later— a loving marriage that would endure for nearly 65 years.  He was a member of the Gonzales First Methodist Church, Sons of Hermann Lodge and had been a longtime member of the Gonzales American Legion.

Alfred worked in ranching after high school but soon joined the USAF during the Korean War and was stationed stateside as a radio operator instructor. After he was honorably discharged, Alfred ranched full time for a few years raising pigs and cattle. 

He purchased Guy Walker’s Welding Shop on St. Andrews Street and later bought the dry cleaners from Sox Nelson where Billy Jean operated Spohler Dry Cleaners. All the while Alfred continued ranching and raising Charlais cattle.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Alfred was always happy and always busy. He enjoyed making hunting and pocket knives, raising exotic birds and growing orchids. He delighted in making family trips to the Grand Canyon, Colorado, Illinois, Arkansas and Florida to name a few.

He and his loving wife Billy Jean were more than a couple, more than mother and father or Granny and Papa, they were partners in a beautiful life that takes the love of two to make work and with his loving daughter Shirley Jean, made it a family and love abounded.

He lived an example of putting family first.  He was always clear with his position on any given subject. He adored his granddaughter and he was more than her Papa, he was her champion. He saw to it that Jennifer had her own horse to learn to ride, a 4-wheeler to enjoy on the ranch, he taught her how to fish and most of all, he gave her the assurance of love— that forever and ever kind of love.

Alfred cherished his great-grandchildren and in knowing this, they where perfectly comfortable climbing all over him as he would sit and watch them play.

Alfred Bernard Spohler is survived his loving wife of 65 years, Billie Jean Spohler; daughter, Shirley Jean Lassig of San Antonio; granddaughter, Jennifer Ann Ruple and her husband Austin of Boerne and his sweet great-grandchildren, Aubrey Elizabeth and Grant Austin Ruple of Boerne. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 24 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Pastor Andy Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Hermann Sons Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from noon- 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. 

Memorials may be made to the Gonzales First United Methodist Church or the charity of one’s choice. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.