Billy Wade Spainhour

Billy Wade Spainhour, age 87 of Hot Springs passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

Wade was preceded in death by Wife, Dell Spainhour; Father, E.H. “Huey” Spainhour; Mother, Zelma Inez Roach-Kirkham; and Brother, Reggie Payte.

Survivors include his Daughter, Tannda Spainhour (Rodney Marks); his son, Michael Spainhour (Markilyn); and Grand Daughter, Shelby Spainhour.

Wade was born in Pearcy, Arkansas on March 28, 1937, to parents Huey and Zelma. He grew up in Pearcy and Hot Springs and attended Hot Springs High School. After High School, he moved to Dallas where he worked at various car body shops and Chance Vought Aircraft. It was during that time in Dallas where he met Dell; She was working as a car hop at a fifty’s Diner. Wade and Dell married in Dallas on September 3, 1959, and moved back to Hot Springs. They had two children, Michael Wade in December 1960, and Tannda Lynn in May 1964. Dad was in the Army and was Honorably discharged in 1964. He built the house on Rock Creek Road in 1967 where we lived until we moved to the Lake House in 1980 where he resided until his death.

Wade worked for Dierks Forests, Inc., and Weyerhaeuser from 1964 until 1970. He received his Arkansas Professional Land Surveyor’s license, No. 42, in 1967. After leaving Weyerhaeuser, he started his own land surveying company, W.S. Survey Company, which he later sold to Affiliated Engineers, Inc. and continued to work at Affiliated Engineers until he semi-retired in 2010. He continued performing land surveys and consulting up until his death. Wade was most proud of the survey work he donated for the Veteran’s Memorial of Garland County in Hot Springs. If you ever saw one of his survey plans, Wade’s professionalism, and attention to detail were evident in his work.  

Wade was a loving husband and father. He was a member of the Lake Hamilton School Board, a Justice of the Peace, a Boy Scout Master for Troop 65, and a member of the Hot Springs Cruisers Car Club. He enjoyed collecting and restoring old cars, riding motorcycles, and collecting all things Marilyn Monroe.

To honor Wade’s wishes, he chose cremation and there will not be a memorial service.