James Spiller

VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE PAGE James Madison Spiller, 79, of Jacksboro, passed away on Monday, October 10, 2011, at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Texas. The funeral memorial service will be celebrated at the First United Methodist Church of Jacksboro on Thursday, October 13th, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Jacksboro under the direction of Coker Funeral Home of Jacksboro. Visitation with the family will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, October 12th, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Jim was an attorney for 52 years, practicing with the firm of Spiller & Spiller in Jacksboro. He was also the owner of Spiller Abstract Company, the oldest family-owned service business in Jack County, formed in 1888 by his grandfather, Captain George Spiller, and later owned by his father, Kyle Spiller. Jim was also an oil and gas operator and a rancher. Jim was born on February 2, 1932, in Jacksboro, Texas, to Kyle and Lee Spiller. He graduated from Jacksboro High School in 1949. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Later, while stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, he met Mary Ellen Hutson. He and Mary were married on August 18, 1956. He later received Bachelor of Laws and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in 1959. Survivors include his wife, Mary Spiller, of Jacksboro; son, David Spiller and wife, Ginger of Jacksboro; daughter, Karen Forbis and husband, Chris, of Decatur; son, Scott Spiller and wife, Laura, of Jacksboro; grandsons, Mason, Reid, Drew and Kyle Spiller of Jacksboro, and Alex and Joel Forbis of Decatur; nieces, Linda Spiller Johnson and Gayle Spiller Corrigan of Grand Prairie; and nephew, Kyle Spiller of Corpus Christi. He was predeceased by his brothers, George, Malcolm and Kyle Spiller. Jim was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Jacksboro, where he served as a long time Sunday School teacher for the Aldersgate Class. He was an Eagle Scout, and served for many years as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 111 of Jacksboro. He previously served as a Trustee of the Jacksboro ISD Board of Trustees. He also previously served as City Attorney for the City of Jacksboro. He was a past member of the Jaycees, and was a member of Lions Club and the Jacksboro Chamber of Commerce. He was a cancer survivor of 24 years. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church, 406 N. Main Street, Jacksboro, TX 76458; the Jacksboro Community Pool Project, P. O. Box 610, Jacksboro, TX 76458; or any charity of the donor’s choice.

James Spiller

February 2, 1932 - October 10, 2011