William “Jay” Joseph Spires

William “Jay” Joseph Spires, son of Jennifer (Wertz) Spires and Hollis Daniel Spires, born June 14, 1995, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 due to an automobile accident.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, Joshua Daniel Spires of Jackson, Ohio; his stepmother, Jennifer Spires; a half-sister, Kayla Spires; special niece, Liberty; step-brother, Kyle Lizon, step-sisters, Haley Lizon and Tatum Lizon; grandmothers, Mollie Brown Wertz of Oak Hill, Ohio and Naomi Starcher of Jackson, Ohio; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; as well as numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Richard Samuel Wertz and Francis O. Spires.

Jay graduated from Jackson High School, Class of 2013. He was a member of the National Honor Society and Tri-Hi Y. He played both Varsity basketball and football. He was a member of the S.E.O.A.L. championship football team of 2010 and 2011 and earned All-Academic S.E.O.A.L. honors for two years. He was also awarded the Archie Griffin award. He also served as a captain of the 2012 football team. Jay was attending Shawnee State University training as a physical therapist assistant, hoping to reach his goal as a physical therapist. In 2013 he was inducted into the National Honor Society of Scholastic Achievement Phi Eta Signa, founded at the University of Illinois.

Jay was blessed with many endearing qualities; leadership, intelligence, kindness, curiosity, and most of all caring about his family and his beloved football team, coaches, and trainer.

Jay will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. He was the light of our lives and we pray that you will celebrate his life.

A funeral service will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene, 251 Powell Drive, Jackson, OH 45640 on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 4 p.m. Burial will follow at Fairmount Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, July 25, 2014 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Nazarene Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to: Joshua Daniel Spires Scholarship, c/o Jennifer Spires, 4455 Fourmile Road, Jackson, Ohio 45640 or to: Jackson High School Football Mothers’ Club, 500 Vaughn Street, Jackson, Ohio 45640. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com