Clyde Spillman

Heaven's gate has opened and Jesus welcomed his child Monday morning, Jan. 24, 2011, from the presence of a loving family to the glory of his Father's arms.

Clyde E. "Pap" Spillman, 64, was born May 1, 1946, in Louisa, a son of the late James Riley and Laura Carter Spillman.

Clyde graduated from Paul G. Blazer High School and worked for The Daily Independent in motor route delivery for 14 years. Clyde loved the outdoors. He was an avid camper, hunter and fisherman and enjoyed 4-wheeling with his buddies from the Knott County Milk Dud Gang. He was of the Baptist faith.

Clyde is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dorothy Rice Spillman; two sons, Jim Spillman and his fianceé, Alison Davis, and Rick Spillman, both of Flatwoods; a grandson, Jarred Spillman; a brother, Oliver Ray Spillman (Norma) of Kettering, Ohio; six sisters, Edith Middleton (Homer) of Rush and Jean Spillman, Clara Spillman, Dot Cripple (Otis), Frances Spillman and Faye Sansom, all of Ashland. Also left behind are Rusty Rice, who was like another son; camping buddies Glen Bush, Chris Sexton, Jeremy Griffith, Jim Rice and Ed Keihn; and his little furry friend, Niko, who was always by his side.

Also preceding him in death was a brother, James Henry Spillman.

Funeral services for Mr. Spillman will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, at Kilgore & Collier Funeral Home on Panola Street in Catlettsburg. Ron "Fat Dad" Rucker will offer words of comfort and Nick Alexander will give a personal eulogy. Final rest will be in Golden Oaks Memorial Gardens in Ashland.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jim Rice, Chris Allen, David Williams, Chris Sexton, Paul Dennison, Dean Akers and Glen Bush. Honorary casket bearers will be Jeremy Griffith, Mike Alexander, Steven Alexander and Jim Goble.