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The obituary notice of Reverend John William (Bill) SPRAY

Stoke-on-Trent | Published in: funeral-notices.co.uk.

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Harold H Leese Funeral Directors
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Reverend John WilliamSPRAYFormer Curate at St James the Great, Clayton, former Vicar of Holy Trinity, Hartshill and
former Rector of St Michael's Church, Stone and St Saviour's Church, Aston.

At peace on Friday 22nd August 2025 at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, Bill aged 96 years of Trentham.

The dearly loved husband of the late Dorothy (Dor), much loved dad of Carol, Sam and Gavin, dearest father-in-law of Paul and the late Nick, treasured grandad of Liam, Conor, Elliot and Leo a very dear brother, brother-in-law and uncle and a dear friend.

A funeral service will take place on Wednesday 24th September at St James the Great Church, Clayton at 12 noon, followed by cremation at Bradwell Crematorium. Relatives and friends wishing to attend kindly meet at the church.

Family flowers only please, donations can be given in memory of Bill to Gentleshaw Animal Sanctuary, a donation collection box will be available in church.

All enquiries to
Harold H Leese
(A Boulton & Sons)
St Peters Close
Stoke
ST4 1LP
Tel: 01782 744433
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Published: 12/09/2025
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I didn’t know Bill and Dor for a long time, but the time I spent with them left a lasting imprint on my heart. I will always treasure the mornings sitting beside Dor and chatting with Bill, his warmth, humour and gentle presence brightened those days more than he probably ever realised.

Bill’s deep love for Dor was something you could feel the moment you walked into the room. It was steady, devoted and quietly powerful. After Dor passed, I visited Bill several times, and it was so clear how profoundly he had loved her.

He was such a remarkable man - a devoted husband full of kindness and faith, and able to play the piano like Liberace! I admired and adored him.

My heartfelt condolences to his wonderful children and family. You were all so lovely and welcoming, and it was an honour to know your parents, even for a short while. Two truly beautiful souls, whose love for one another was palpable.
Nicola Wright
26/02/2026
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Nicola Wright
26/02/2026
My deepest sympathies to the Spray family. It is a very strange coincidence that today of all days I searched for information about Bill and Dor Spray, old friends of my late parents Neil (d 2010) and Eileen (d 2022) Soffe here in Dublin, after finding a Christmas Card from Bill and Dor from the 60s earlier this week while going through old papers from our family home. While I never met your parents, my parents often spoke of them and always very fondly. May Bill and Dor rest in peace. Paul Soffe ([email protected]).
Paul Soffe
24/09/2025
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Paul Soffe
24/09/2025
Our dear friend and neighbour,Bill.
Pauline Hanrahan
19/09/2025
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Pauline Hanrahan
19/09/2025
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Pauline Mary BIRCHENOUGH