Walter Spradley, Operated Historic Heath Farm, Dies at 87

Obituary courtesy Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home

As a young child, Walter lived in New Jersey with his grandfather Clinton Heath and his aunts, and he attended the Middletown School system. Walter was a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop number 45 where he earned several merit badges. Walter graduated from Mineola High School in Long Island, New York in 1944. He attended New York University for a short period, until he was drafted into the United States Army towards the end of WW11. He served and received an honorable discharge.  After his service in the military, Walter worked with his father in his sanitation business and later started a cesspool installation and pumping business.  Walter later moved to Harrisburg PA, and started several different businesses. He was appointed the building manager for the state of Pennsylvania during the Governor Scranton administration.

Walter was first married to Gloria Johnson Spradley and from that union they had three children; Bruce, Lynn, who is deceased, and Mark.  Walter later married, his second wife, Susie Nelson Spradley on September 1, 1968, and they were married for 45 plus years. Walter and Susie had one daughter Sharon Spradley Green.

Walter returned to Long Island, New York in the early 1960’s where he worked briefly with his former mother in law’s business. Walter worked as a Supervisor of Housekeeping at Nassau Hospital now known as Winthrop Pavilion. He worked as Chief Housekeeper at Meadowbrook Hospital in East Meadow now known as Nassau County Medical Center.

In addition, he earned a certificate of Christian Ministry from New York Theological Seminary, and he served as a Local Preacher at St. Phillips AMEZ Church, in Wyandanch, New York. Walter later transferred to the office complex in Mineola, New York where he worked as a building manger until 1984, and he moved to Camden, South Carolina. Walter worked for the State of South Carolina for two years as a building manger. In addition, Walter served on many boards in Kershaw County, South Carolina and they include: Broad of Disabilities, Zoning Broad of Appeals for the city of Camden; the Fine Arts Center of Camden; and the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce.  Furthermore, he was a lay speaker for the Trinity United Methodist Church now known as the Camden First United Methodist Church, of Camden, South Carolina.  In addition, he earned a certificate as a Master Gardner.

Walter returned to Middletown, New Jersey in 1998 to organize and run the family Health Farm and Exhibits in Middletown, New Jersey.  His prize possession was to help his Aunt Bertha Clara Heath to preserve his family history. Walter and Susie shared their rich history with the community during the summer months they gave tours of the Farm exhibit. Walter was a generous contributor to the Clinton Chapel AMEZ Church in Middletown, NJ of which, his grandfather, Clinton Pearson Heath founded.

Walter was predeceased by his father, George Samuel Spradley and mother, Anna Heath Spradley; brother, George W. Spradley; and sister, Mildred A. Peters; aunt, Bertha C. Heath; and daughter, Lynn S. Spradley. 

He will be missed by his loving wife, Susie M. Spradley; his children, Bruce,(Judith), Pennsylvania; Mark; daughter, Sharon (James W. Green), South Carolina; brother, Howard C. Spradley of Sumter, South Carolina, daughter-in-law, Cheryl Edwards, Maryland;  and a  host of nephews, cousins, grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.