Thomas William Spilman (Bill) was born November 1, 1925, in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, the son of Harry Thomas Spilman and Alice Middleton Spilman, and twin brother to Betty Jane. He passed away on Friday, June 15, 2012, at Horizon Bay under the care of Hospice.

From the age of two, he was raised in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond and Bullis Preparatory School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

He received a Senatorial Appointment to Annapolis, but was unable to attend. He joined the Naval V12 and attended the University of Richmond and Duke University. He served in the South Pacific after the end of World War II, and returned to Duke University where he graduated as a Civil Engineer in 1948. While at Duke, he was a member of ATO Social Fraternity, Tau Beta Pi Honorary Engineering Scholastic Fraternity, The Order of St. Patrick Honorary Leadership Fraternity.

Following his graduation, he was employed by Bethlehem Steel Corporation as a member of their 1948 Loop Training Program, assigned to Fabricated Steel Construction. He was named District Engineer for Fabricated Steel in Chicago, IL in 1958, and returned to Bethlehem in 1961 as Assistant Chief Engineer.

In 1972 he was promoted to Manager of Engineering for the Fabricated Division, and received his Professional Engineering License the same year. He later served Bethlehem International Engineering as Director of Sui Chang China Project and retired in 1982. Following his early retirement, he enjoyed ten years as a highly successful Professional Recruiter for SHS in Allentown, PA.

His professional memberships included: A fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Chairman of the Manual Committee of the American Institute of Steel Construction, Chairman of two committees of the Research Council on Riveted and Bolted Structural Joints, and a member of the Bridge Steel Specifications Committee of the American Iron and Steel Institute.

He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bethlehem, PA where he served as a Deacon for ten years and also a Trustee, Saucon Valley Country Club for 35 years, and as a volunteer at St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem. Bill was an avid bridge player, and golfer; having four holes-in-one during his golfing years.

The Spilmans reside in Port Saint Lucie, FL and Bent Tree in Jasper, GA. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Stuart and New Lebanon Presbyterian Church in Jasper. Bill was a member of Anchor Line Yacht Club, Social Member of Santa Lucia River Club, and a former member of Coconut Point Yacht Club.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Bobbie of Port Saint Lucie, FL; and two daughters; Leslie Spilman Lee (Bruce) of The Woodlands, TX; and Carolyn Nesbit (Dan) of Marietta, GA; and four grandchildren; Lindsey & Mathew Spilman-Ehrsam, and Zachary and Allison Nesbit. He is preceded in death by his parents and twin sister, Betty Jane Christian.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Stuart at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 29, 2012 with Dr. Charles Dennison officiating. Scattering will take place in the Memorial Gardens following the service. The family will host a reception luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Treasure Coast Hospice; 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997, or by www.tchopice.org, or Memorial Garden Fund of the First Presbyterian Church of Stuart; 1715 NW Pine Lake Drive, Stuart, FL 34994.

Arrangements are entrusted to Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Family Owned & Operated, Stuart, FL.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.treasurecoastseawinds.com