WW II Vet George Washington Spagnoli, 94, Dies

George Washington Spagnoli, 94 of Decatur, formerly of Douglasville, passed away Thursday, Aug. 15. He was born Feb. 22, 1919 in Bedford, OH. George graduated from Bedford High School in 1936. He made his First Communion at St. Mary’s in 1930. At the age of 13 years old, he was selected as Number 1 all-star pitcher in Little League Hard Ball. In 1936, while traveling to Ohio State for Bedford High’s baseball and track team State finals, he met Jess Owens, Dave Albritton and Mr. Thomas who were practicing for the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany.

A Veteran of the U.S. Army serving his country during World War II, he spent most of his years in France, and was discharged on Dec. 6, 1945. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service with 30 years of service as a postal clerk in Bedford and Maple Heights, OH. George was active in several organizations, serving as Commander of AMVETS Post 15 of Bedford, OH; President of AMITA (American Italian Club); and a member of the American Legion. He was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Douglasville.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mary Jewell Michael Spagnoli.  They were married Dec. 4, 1943 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Atlanta. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Francesco and Concetta Romito Spagnoli, and a brother, James Spagnoli.

He is survived by his daughter, Gloria Lashley and her husband Gary; grandsons, Jeffrey Robert Lashley and his wife Jeanna, and Kenneth George Lashley and his wife Aimee; great-grandchildren, Benjamin Lashley, Seth Lashley, Julianna Lashley, Sarah Lashley, Iris Lashley, Samuel Lashley and Sean Lashley; his brother, Remo Spagnoli; numerous nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass was Wednesday, Aug. 21, at St. Theresa Catholic Church. Interment followed at Georgia Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mr. Spagnoli’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association at http://www.alz.org or to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, GA 33908.

Express condolences or share a special memory online at www.whitleygarner.com.

Arrangements by: Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home, Douglasville, GA 30134, 770-942-4246.