He married Elizabeth Sadie Barnsback on August 21, 1909.
All six of their sons served in World War II.
Burial information not found for the following children of Charles and Elizabeth Spilman at the time this memorial was updated (June, 2018):
William Richard Spilman
born July 20, 1916 Edwardsville, IL
died April 18, 1995 Ft. Lauderdale, FL (lived in Massachusetts)
James Bruce Spilman
born May 4, 1921 Edwardsville, IL
died August 1, 1991 Boston, Massachusetts
Another son - the manager of this Find A Grave memorial refused to link the son to his parents unless I sent him PROOF (really??? - does he think I have a birth certificate on hand for EVERYONE???):
Kenneth Abbott Spilman
born May 14, 1922 Edwardsville, IL
died July 6, 2015 Reston, Virginia
Obituary:
Kenneth Abbott Spilman (93) of Reston, Virginia, passed away on July 6th, 2015, at his home with family around him. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 61 years. Most caring and loving father of 2 daughters and 1 son. He is also survived by a granddaughter and grandson and a great-grandson. Ken has many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, great grand nieces and great grand nephews. All he adored and who love him dearly. His Internment will be held on a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC. with full military honors. Family and friends will be notified in advance.
Kenneth Spilman was born in Edwardsville, IL, to Charles Hadley Spilman and Elizabeth Barnsback Spilman. He was the youngest of 6 brothers. His family moved to Newton Center, MA, in 1926. Ken attended New Hampton Prep School and Nichols College. As a young man he enjoyed playing tennis, hockey, baseball, football. He got his first car at 16 (a beauty), played the drums and went to see all the Big Bands. His favorite band of the era was Benny Goodman with Gene Krupa and he and Mary-Lou's favorite song is "Time After Time". He was a Red Sox and Boston Bruins fan, of course.
All 6 Spilman Brothers served in WWII within various branches of service and places around the world - all 6, blessedly came back home. Mrs. Spilman, widowed in 1940, was a Gold Star Mother many times over, she hung the 6 banners proudly in her home's window and wore the 6 gold stars on her dresses. Ken proudly served in the U.S. Army, Military Motor Police in Europe.
After the war, he attended Nichols College and then worked in the car dealership industry before starting a 35 year career with Sears in Boston and Natick, MA. He and Mary-Lou were married in 1954 and raised their family in Newton Lower Falls and Wellesley, MA. They retired to Cape Cod enjoying countless hours at the ocean, drives down 6A through the charming villages on the Cape, eating fresh seafood, hotdogs, burgers and cold ice cream along the way. They moved to Reston, VA in 2000 to be near family and had wonderful times at their condo on Lake Thoreau becoming the neighborhood's most cherished couple. During the winter months Ken and Mary-Lou spent many years in Vero Beach, FL, across the street from a magnificent beach where they could walk in the sand, play in the waves, read, hunt for shells and sea glass - but mostly look out on the ocean water for hours and hours. It brought him such joy and peace.
Ken felt a profound responsibility to honor our veterans, those who had gone before and the many who serve today. He, Mary-Lou and family visited Arlington National Cemetery many times to pay respects, volunteer during the annual laying of Christmas wreaths (Wreaths Across America) and in 2007 he was selected to place the Christmas wreath at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier - a moment he felt both honored and humbled. Every Memorial Day, after leaving Arlington Cemetery, Ken and Mary-Lou would visit the DC War Memorials and then stand on a street corner for hours as the Rolling Thunder motor cyclists rode by, clapping out of respect and appreciation... "Never ever forget!"
He appreciated the beauty of antique cars, getting donuts on Sunday morning, long drives sometimes to nowhere, ice skating with his children, painting the outside of his house (always a ladder up), old country stores, big thunderstorms and heavy snow storms, his Lionel trains, the Indy 500, his Mother's biscuits, pancakes and homemade peppermint stick ice cream, Wallaces' fried clams, chocolate frappes, Bailey's sundaes, Brigham's "Jimmies", Wise potato chips, lobster, lobster, lobster and the ocean shore. He watched hours of TV programs (Ken Burns, Charlie Rose, Bishop Sheehan) to learn, know and understand more. He loved just staring out a window and watching the world go by. He was a shy man but could and would talk to anyone about anything - always interested and interesting.
Ken read all the time, cutting out and sending newspaper/magazine clippings he thought would be of interest to his many recipients. Whenever he received a note or card it was read, re-read and then kept forever. He took beautiful care of the lawns at all his homes through the years - they were manicured to perfection, all by hand and a manual mower. He loved taking his children sledding and tobogganing and as a young man he and his brothers and friends would go bobsledding. He would wake his children in the middle of the night to behold the Northern Lights and constellations. On a hot July day he would come outside with a small plastic tub of snow he had secretly put in the freezer in January - what a beautiful surprise for his kids when they were little. He loved Christmas morning as the children rounded the living room corner to see Santa had come after all and at Easter, when the family was at Mass, he would hide eggs and chocolates in the yard for a neighborhood hunt - everyone believing the Easter Bunny had actually come back again.
Ken had a dry wit that is unequaled. A dashingly handsome man with a smile to light your way. He was thoughtful in the true sense of the word. He found ways to touch someone's life, many times giving without the person ever knowing who was doing the giving. He helped strangers in little ways and much larger ways, never to see them again but deep down inside knowing he might have made a moment of difference in their lives - as they might not have had anyone to reach out and embrace them by thought or deed.
Kenneth Abbott Spilman's family and friends are thankful and blessed for this wonderful man. We are grateful for all the love and care so many have shown. We will see you when we gather for the service at Arlington National Cemetery, his favorite place on earth.
In Lieu of flowers, please donate to: The Gary Sinese Foundation, https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org in memory of Kenneth Abbott Spilman. Donation acknowledgement section should be filled out C/O Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203, so the family can send you their heartfelt thanks.
All six of their sons served in World War II.
Burial information not found for the following children of Charles and Elizabeth Spilman at the time this memorial was updated (June, 2018):
William Richard Spilman
born July 20, 1916 Edwardsville, IL
died April 18, 1995 Ft. Lauderdale, FL (lived in Massachusetts)
James Bruce Spilman
born May 4, 1921 Edwardsville, IL
died August 1, 1991 Boston, Massachusetts
Another son - the manager of this Find A Grave memorial refused to link the son to his parents unless I sent him PROOF (really??? - does he think I have a birth certificate on hand for EVERYONE???):
Kenneth Abbott Spilman
born May 14, 1922 Edwardsville, IL
died July 6, 2015 Reston, Virginia
Obituary:
Kenneth Abbott Spilman (93) of Reston, Virginia, passed away on July 6th, 2015, at his home with family around him. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 61 years. Most caring and loving father of 2 daughters and 1 son. He is also survived by a granddaughter and grandson and a great-grandson. Ken has many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, great grand nieces and great grand nephews. All he adored and who love him dearly. His Internment will be held on a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC. with full military honors. Family and friends will be notified in advance.
Kenneth Spilman was born in Edwardsville, IL, to Charles Hadley Spilman and Elizabeth Barnsback Spilman. He was the youngest of 6 brothers. His family moved to Newton Center, MA, in 1926. Ken attended New Hampton Prep School and Nichols College. As a young man he enjoyed playing tennis, hockey, baseball, football. He got his first car at 16 (a beauty), played the drums and went to see all the Big Bands. His favorite band of the era was Benny Goodman with Gene Krupa and he and Mary-Lou's favorite song is "Time After Time". He was a Red Sox and Boston Bruins fan, of course.
All 6 Spilman Brothers served in WWII within various branches of service and places around the world - all 6, blessedly came back home. Mrs. Spilman, widowed in 1940, was a Gold Star Mother many times over, she hung the 6 banners proudly in her home's window and wore the 6 gold stars on her dresses. Ken proudly served in the U.S. Army, Military Motor Police in Europe.
After the war, he attended Nichols College and then worked in the car dealership industry before starting a 35 year career with Sears in Boston and Natick, MA. He and Mary-Lou were married in 1954 and raised their family in Newton Lower Falls and Wellesley, MA. They retired to Cape Cod enjoying countless hours at the ocean, drives down 6A through the charming villages on the Cape, eating fresh seafood, hotdogs, burgers and cold ice cream along the way. They moved to Reston, VA in 2000 to be near family and had wonderful times at their condo on Lake Thoreau becoming the neighborhood's most cherished couple. During the winter months Ken and Mary-Lou spent many years in Vero Beach, FL, across the street from a magnificent beach where they could walk in the sand, play in the waves, read, hunt for shells and sea glass - but mostly look out on the ocean water for hours and hours. It brought him such joy and peace.
Ken felt a profound responsibility to honor our veterans, those who had gone before and the many who serve today. He, Mary-Lou and family visited Arlington National Cemetery many times to pay respects, volunteer during the annual laying of Christmas wreaths (Wreaths Across America) and in 2007 he was selected to place the Christmas wreath at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier - a moment he felt both honored and humbled. Every Memorial Day, after leaving Arlington Cemetery, Ken and Mary-Lou would visit the DC War Memorials and then stand on a street corner for hours as the Rolling Thunder motor cyclists rode by, clapping out of respect and appreciation... "Never ever forget!"
He appreciated the beauty of antique cars, getting donuts on Sunday morning, long drives sometimes to nowhere, ice skating with his children, painting the outside of his house (always a ladder up), old country stores, big thunderstorms and heavy snow storms, his Lionel trains, the Indy 500, his Mother's biscuits, pancakes and homemade peppermint stick ice cream, Wallaces' fried clams, chocolate frappes, Bailey's sundaes, Brigham's "Jimmies", Wise potato chips, lobster, lobster, lobster and the ocean shore. He watched hours of TV programs (Ken Burns, Charlie Rose, Bishop Sheehan) to learn, know and understand more. He loved just staring out a window and watching the world go by. He was a shy man but could and would talk to anyone about anything - always interested and interesting.
Ken read all the time, cutting out and sending newspaper/magazine clippings he thought would be of interest to his many recipients. Whenever he received a note or card it was read, re-read and then kept forever. He took beautiful care of the lawns at all his homes through the years - they were manicured to perfection, all by hand and a manual mower. He loved taking his children sledding and tobogganing and as a young man he and his brothers and friends would go bobsledding. He would wake his children in the middle of the night to behold the Northern Lights and constellations. On a hot July day he would come outside with a small plastic tub of snow he had secretly put in the freezer in January - what a beautiful surprise for his kids when they were little. He loved Christmas morning as the children rounded the living room corner to see Santa had come after all and at Easter, when the family was at Mass, he would hide eggs and chocolates in the yard for a neighborhood hunt - everyone believing the Easter Bunny had actually come back again.
Ken had a dry wit that is unequaled. A dashingly handsome man with a smile to light your way. He was thoughtful in the true sense of the word. He found ways to touch someone's life, many times giving without the person ever knowing who was doing the giving. He helped strangers in little ways and much larger ways, never to see them again but deep down inside knowing he might have made a moment of difference in their lives - as they might not have had anyone to reach out and embrace them by thought or deed.
Kenneth Abbott Spilman's family and friends are thankful and blessed for this wonderful man. We are grateful for all the love and care so many have shown. We will see you when we gather for the service at Arlington National Cemetery, his favorite place on earth.
In Lieu of flowers, please donate to: The Gary Sinese Foundation, https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org in memory of Kenneth Abbott Spilman. Donation acknowledgement section should be filled out C/O Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203, so the family can send you their heartfelt thanks.
He married Elizabeth Sadie Barnsback on August 21, 1909.
All six of their sons served in World War II.
Burial information not found for the following children of Charles and Elizabeth Spilman at the time this memorial was updated (June, 2018):
William Richard Spilman
born July 20, 1916 Edwardsville, IL
died April 18, 1995 Ft. Lauderdale, FL (lived in Massachusetts)
James Bruce Spilman
born May 4, 1921 Edwardsville, IL
died August 1, 1991 Boston, Massachusetts
Another son - the manager of this Find A Grave memorial refused to link the son to his parents unless I sent him PROOF (really??? - does he think I have a birth certificate on hand for EVERYONE???):
Kenneth Abbott Spilman
born May 14, 1922 Edwardsville, IL
died July 6, 2015 Reston, Virginia
Obituary:
Kenneth Abbott Spilman (93) of Reston, Virginia, passed away on July 6th, 2015, at his home with family around him. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 61 years. Most caring and loving father of 2 daughters and 1 son. He is also survived by a granddaughter and grandson and a great-grandson. Ken has many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, great grand nieces and great grand nephews. All he adored and who love him dearly. His Internment will be held on a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC. with full military honors. Family and friends will be notified in advance.
Kenneth Spilman was born in Edwardsville, IL, to Charles Hadley Spilman and Elizabeth Barnsback Spilman. He was the youngest of 6 brothers. His family moved to Newton Center, MA, in 1926. Ken attended New Hampton Prep School and Nichols College. As a young man he enjoyed playing tennis, hockey, baseball, football. He got his first car at 16 (a beauty), played the drums and went to see all the Big Bands. His favorite band of the era was Benny Goodman with Gene Krupa and he and Mary-Lou's favorite song is "Time After Time". He was a Red Sox and Boston Bruins fan, of course.
All 6 Spilman Brothers served in WWII within various branches of service and places around the world - all 6, blessedly came back home. Mrs. Spilman, widowed in 1940, was a Gold Star Mother many times over, she hung the 6 banners proudly in her home's window and wore the 6 gold stars on her dresses. Ken proudly served in the U.S. Army, Military Motor Police in Europe.
After the war, he attended Nichols College and then worked in the car dealership industry before starting a 35 year career with Sears in Boston and Natick, MA. He and Mary-Lou were married in 1954 and raised their family in Newton Lower Falls and Wellesley, MA. They retired to Cape Cod enjoying countless hours at the ocean, drives down 6A through the charming villages on the Cape, eating fresh seafood, hotdogs, burgers and cold ice cream along the way. They moved to Reston, VA in 2000 to be near family and had wonderful times at their condo on Lake Thoreau becoming the neighborhood's most cherished couple. During the winter months Ken and Mary-Lou spent many years in Vero Beach, FL, across the street from a magnificent beach where they could walk in the sand, play in the waves, read, hunt for shells and sea glass - but mostly look out on the ocean water for hours and hours. It brought him such joy and peace.
Ken felt a profound responsibility to honor our veterans, those who had gone before and the many who serve today. He, Mary-Lou and family visited Arlington National Cemetery many times to pay respects, volunteer during the annual laying of Christmas wreaths (Wreaths Across America) and in 2007 he was selected to place the Christmas wreath at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier - a moment he felt both honored and humbled. Every Memorial Day, after leaving Arlington Cemetery, Ken and Mary-Lou would visit the DC War Memorials and then stand on a street corner for hours as the Rolling Thunder motor cyclists rode by, clapping out of respect and appreciation... "Never ever forget!"
He appreciated the beauty of antique cars, getting donuts on Sunday morning, long drives sometimes to nowhere, ice skating with his children, painting the outside of his house (always a ladder up), old country stores, big thunderstorms and heavy snow storms, his Lionel trains, the Indy 500, his Mother's biscuits, pancakes and homemade peppermint stick ice cream, Wallaces' fried clams, chocolate frappes, Bailey's sundaes, Brigham's "Jimmies", Wise potato chips, lobster, lobster, lobster and the ocean shore. He watched hours of TV programs (Ken Burns, Charlie Rose, Bishop Sheehan) to learn, know and understand more. He loved just staring out a window and watching the world go by. He was a shy man but could and would talk to anyone about anything - always interested and interesting.
Ken read all the time, cutting out and sending newspaper/magazine clippings he thought would be of interest to his many recipients. Whenever he received a note or card it was read, re-read and then kept forever. He took beautiful care of the lawns at all his homes through the years - they were manicured to perfection, all by hand and a manual mower. He loved taking his children sledding and tobogganing and as a young man he and his brothers and friends would go bobsledding. He would wake his children in the middle of the night to behold the Northern Lights and constellations. On a hot July day he would come outside with a small plastic tub of snow he had secretly put in the freezer in January - what a beautiful surprise for his kids when they were little. He loved Christmas morning as the children rounded the living room corner to see Santa had come after all and at Easter, when the family was at Mass, he would hide eggs and chocolates in the yard for a neighborhood hunt - everyone believing the Easter Bunny had actually come back again.
Ken had a dry wit that is unequaled. A dashingly handsome man with a smile to light your way. He was thoughtful in the true sense of the word. He found ways to touch someone's life, many times giving without the person ever knowing who was doing the giving. He helped strangers in little ways and much larger ways, never to see them again but deep down inside knowing he might have made a moment of difference in their lives - as they might not have had anyone to reach out and embrace them by thought or deed.
Kenneth Abbott Spilman's family and friends are thankful and blessed for this wonderful man. We are grateful for all the love and care so many have shown. We will see you when we gather for the service at Arlington National Cemetery, his favorite place on earth.
In Lieu of flowers, please donate to: The Gary Sinese Foundation, https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org in memory of Kenneth Abbott Spilman. Donation acknowledgement section should be filled out C/O Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203, so the family can send you their heartfelt thanks.
All six of their sons served in World War II.
Burial information not found for the following children of Charles and Elizabeth Spilman at the time this memorial was updated (June, 2018):
William Richard Spilman
born July 20, 1916 Edwardsville, IL
died April 18, 1995 Ft. Lauderdale, FL (lived in Massachusetts)
James Bruce Spilman
born May 4, 1921 Edwardsville, IL
died August 1, 1991 Boston, Massachusetts
Another son - the manager of this Find A Grave memorial refused to link the son to his parents unless I sent him PROOF (really??? - does he think I have a birth certificate on hand for EVERYONE???):
Kenneth Abbott Spilman
born May 14, 1922 Edwardsville, IL
died July 6, 2015 Reston, Virginia
Obituary:
Kenneth Abbott Spilman (93) of Reston, Virginia, passed away on July 6th, 2015, at his home with family around him. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 61 years. Most caring and loving father of 2 daughters and 1 son. He is also survived by a granddaughter and grandson and a great-grandson. Ken has many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, great grand nieces and great grand nephews. All he adored and who love him dearly. His Internment will be held on a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC. with full military honors. Family and friends will be notified in advance.
Kenneth Spilman was born in Edwardsville, IL, to Charles Hadley Spilman and Elizabeth Barnsback Spilman. He was the youngest of 6 brothers. His family moved to Newton Center, MA, in 1926. Ken attended New Hampton Prep School and Nichols College. As a young man he enjoyed playing tennis, hockey, baseball, football. He got his first car at 16 (a beauty), played the drums and went to see all the Big Bands. His favorite band of the era was Benny Goodman with Gene Krupa and he and Mary-Lou's favorite song is "Time After Time". He was a Red Sox and Boston Bruins fan, of course.
All 6 Spilman Brothers served in WWII within various branches of service and places around the world - all 6, blessedly came back home. Mrs. Spilman, widowed in 1940, was a Gold Star Mother many times over, she hung the 6 banners proudly in her home's window and wore the 6 gold stars on her dresses. Ken proudly served in the U.S. Army, Military Motor Police in Europe.
After the war, he attended Nichols College and then worked in the car dealership industry before starting a 35 year career with Sears in Boston and Natick, MA. He and Mary-Lou were married in 1954 and raised their family in Newton Lower Falls and Wellesley, MA. They retired to Cape Cod enjoying countless hours at the ocean, drives down 6A through the charming villages on the Cape, eating fresh seafood, hotdogs, burgers and cold ice cream along the way. They moved to Reston, VA in 2000 to be near family and had wonderful times at their condo on Lake Thoreau becoming the neighborhood's most cherished couple. During the winter months Ken and Mary-Lou spent many years in Vero Beach, FL, across the street from a magnificent beach where they could walk in the sand, play in the waves, read, hunt for shells and sea glass - but mostly look out on the ocean water for hours and hours. It brought him such joy and peace.
Ken felt a profound responsibility to honor our veterans, those who had gone before and the many who serve today. He, Mary-Lou and family visited Arlington National Cemetery many times to pay respects, volunteer during the annual laying of Christmas wreaths (Wreaths Across America) and in 2007 he was selected to place the Christmas wreath at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier - a moment he felt both honored and humbled. Every Memorial Day, after leaving Arlington Cemetery, Ken and Mary-Lou would visit the DC War Memorials and then stand on a street corner for hours as the Rolling Thunder motor cyclists rode by, clapping out of respect and appreciation... "Never ever forget!"
He appreciated the beauty of antique cars, getting donuts on Sunday morning, long drives sometimes to nowhere, ice skating with his children, painting the outside of his house (always a ladder up), old country stores, big thunderstorms and heavy snow storms, his Lionel trains, the Indy 500, his Mother's biscuits, pancakes and homemade peppermint stick ice cream, Wallaces' fried clams, chocolate frappes, Bailey's sundaes, Brigham's "Jimmies", Wise potato chips, lobster, lobster, lobster and the ocean shore. He watched hours of TV programs (Ken Burns, Charlie Rose, Bishop Sheehan) to learn, know and understand more. He loved just staring out a window and watching the world go by. He was a shy man but could and would talk to anyone about anything - always interested and interesting.
Ken read all the time, cutting out and sending newspaper/magazine clippings he thought would be of interest to his many recipients. Whenever he received a note or card it was read, re-read and then kept forever. He took beautiful care of the lawns at all his homes through the years - they were manicured to perfection, all by hand and a manual mower. He loved taking his children sledding and tobogganing and as a young man he and his brothers and friends would go bobsledding. He would wake his children in the middle of the night to behold the Northern Lights and constellations. On a hot July day he would come outside with a small plastic tub of snow he had secretly put in the freezer in January - what a beautiful surprise for his kids when they were little. He loved Christmas morning as the children rounded the living room corner to see Santa had come after all and at Easter, when the family was at Mass, he would hide eggs and chocolates in the yard for a neighborhood hunt - everyone believing the Easter Bunny had actually come back again.
Ken had a dry wit that is unequaled. A dashingly handsome man with a smile to light your way. He was thoughtful in the true sense of the word. He found ways to touch someone's life, many times giving without the person ever knowing who was doing the giving. He helped strangers in little ways and much larger ways, never to see them again but deep down inside knowing he might have made a moment of difference in their lives - as they might not have had anyone to reach out and embrace them by thought or deed.
Kenneth Abbott Spilman's family and friends are thankful and blessed for this wonderful man. We are grateful for all the love and care so many have shown. We will see you when we gather for the service at Arlington National Cemetery, his favorite place on earth.
In Lieu of flowers, please donate to: The Gary Sinese Foundation, https://donate.garysinisefoundation.org in memory of Kenneth Abbott Spilman. Donation acknowledgement section should be filled out C/O Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203, so the family can send you their heartfelt thanks.
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