William George Spratlen
William George Spratlen was born on June 16, 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio, to William Green and Maggie Thomas Spratlen, both deceased. He was the oldest of four children.
William attended Outhwaite Elementary, Kennard Jr. High, and East Technical High School. He was very active in school, William was a member of the track team and played trumpet throughout. Loving to sing, he along with four of his friends formed a singing group calling themselves the Twylarks He was confident that they were going to be the next big group after the Drifters! William graduated from East Technical High School in 1958.
William loved dancing and he was an avid bowler. As a child he loved cowboy and his love for cowboys never left. He was captivated by the Wild West, with its rugged landscapes, daring adventures, and iconic characters. From classic series like “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza.” He was a car enthusiast, he loved going to car shows and perusing magazines such Car and Driver. He had such a love for cars, that he asked to be driven to the car lots after he was to ill.
He was very meticulous about his appearance, everyone knows that William liked to be sharp! He was a man of great charisma and he brought a smile to everyone’s face.
William worked several jobs, Schaffer Manufacturing, Cleveland Metropolitan Hospital (formerly known as City Hospital) and Ford Motor Company to name a few. He worked for the YMCA as a Community Coordinator after receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree.
William attended Tennessee State University, however he graduated with a degree in Communications from Capital University. His job interest changed direction when his mother suffered a stroke in 1971. Not able to understand all of the medical terms and procedures during this stressful time, William decided to work somewhere in the medical field. He received his degree in nursing from Cuyahoga Community College.
He worked as a Registered Nurse until his retirement from University Hospital in Cleveland. Being one of the few men in the field when he began and loving what he did, he earned many awards and accolades for his accomplishments.
The grandson of a Baptist minister and a deeply religious family on both sides, William was baptized at a very early age. Baptized as a child at his maternal family church, Roberts Chapel AME in Linden, Tennessee and also in Cleveland where the family membership was at Antioch Baptist Church. Shortly after leaving Antioch Baptist Church and marrying Beverly Spratlen (Bogan), they decided to make their church home, Faith Fellowship Church in Macedonia, Ohio. Staying an active member of his church until illness prevented him from attending. He sang in the church choir, was part of the men’s fellowship ministry and he performed in church plays.
William married Mary Ann Rosser in 1963 and became father to Mario and Selena. To this union William LaVelle “Buster” and Nicholus Shawn were born. He later met and married Beverly Ann Bogan on February 14,1981. To this union a son Quinton (deceased) and Lynsay Gabrielle were born.
He leaves to mourn his passing, son William Lavelle Spratlen (Buster) and his children, Maria, Marcia, Orlando, LaChrisha and Lavelle; son Nicholus Shawn Spratlen (Amber) and their children Langston, Lauryn and Lincoln; daughter Lynsay Gabrielle Spratlen(Alan Grigsby) and their son Sage William Cabel; great grandchildren, Alexandria, Richard, Mariah, Bronson, and LaVelle II “Deuce”; sisters Coma Marie, deceased, Alfreda Barnes and Penelope Johnson. Five great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to mourn his passing.