Bill Springer

Willis A. Springer, Jr., died Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at the age of 74. He was also known as Bill, Dad, Grandpa, Mr. Springer or Mr. Foot.

He was born on July 20, 1944, in Meridian, Mississippi, to Willis A. "Bill" Sr. and Betty Springer. He and his wife, Mark, were married after falling in love while teaching at Cape Junior High on Aug. 8, 1970, and spent the next 48 years together making memories. He was an incredible father to his two children, the late Trey Springer and Susan; a role-model and father-in-law to Jason; as well as a loving grandfather to Savanna and Zach who brought him so much joy.

As an only child, he found entertainment and joy from reading and spending countless hours in the library with his grandmother, as well as many afternoons in the movie theater. He joined the Boy Scouts as a child and continued into adulthood spending many summers at Camp Lewallen making a multitude of friends. He also enjoyed his time as a student while at the University of Tennessee-Martin, where he earned his degree in secondary education.

He moved to Cape Girardeau to begin his teaching career at Cape Central Junior High, where he began to grow into who so many people know as "Mr. Springer" or just "Springer." He later moved to Cape Central High where he fully came into his own as an educator and mentor. According to many accounts, he managed to always make history, English and reading interesting. He took a stint from teaching to be principal at St. Vincent de Paul Grade School and to work at Sohn's Menswear. He made an impact on everyone he met regardless of where he was serving. He was either making your mind sharper, or he was making you dress sharper or just trying to trick you to look down at your shirt.

He seemed to know everyone. He saw people he knew everywhere he went. He either taught them or their children and was sincerely interested in the people they or their children had become. He was a force to be reckoned with, no doubt. His smile was infectious, and his wit was always entertaining and most often memorable.

While he was a classroom favorite and made such an impact on so many lives through teaching and just being Bill, his family was his center. He was a family man at heart, carrying out the duties of being a son, husband, father and grandfather to the highest degree. He was a doting son and a loving husband.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mark; his daughter, Susan (Jason) Ayers; grandchildren, Savanna and Zach Ayers; sister-in-law, Vicki McMullen; many adopted family members -- you know who you are -- and countless friends. He also leaves behind his two beloved dogs.

Visitation will be held 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will continue from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with funeral Mass and celebration following at 10 a.m. Burial will take place directly after at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in memory of Trey or the Trey Springer Scholarship Fund at Notre Dame Regional High School.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.