Paul William “Coon” Sponaugle, age 86, a resident of River Bend Estates in Parsons, WV, entered into Heaven on Christmas morning, December 25, 2023, from Mountain Memories Assisted Living & Retirement Center in Elkins, WV. He laid down his head to sleep and awoke in the presence of our Lord. He had been in declining health.
Paul was born Sunday, December 19, 1937, in Hendricks, WV. He was the son of the late John Alvin and Dessie Hedrick Sponaugle. On April 20, 1957, in Red House, Maryland, he was married to Lela Lorraine Phillips Sponaugle, who preceded him in death August 19, 2022. Together, they celebrated 65 years of marriage. Also preceding him in death are one son, Robert Paul Sponaugle; two brothers, John F. “Tib” Sponaugle and Berlin “Bud” Sponaugle; and six sisters, Beatrice Sponaugle, Ruth Stalnaker, Evelyn Parsons, Lorraine Hedrick, Abbie Wamsley, and Louise Rutherford. Paul was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Surviving are one daughter, Judy (William) Stansberry of Ft. Defiance, VA; one son, Steven Allen “Dee” (Connie) Sponaugle of Parsons; and a daughter-in-law, Minnie Mae Sponaugle of Parsons. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Fallon (Josh) Henline of Hendricks, Brittany (Jeremy) Carper of Falmouth, VA, Holly (Jared) Burner of Luray, VA, Kandice Sponaugle of Parsons, Steven Paul (Danielle) Sponaugle of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Katelyn Sponaugle of Parsons. Paul and Lela had nine great-grandchildren: Joshalyn and Zaken Henline; J.W. and Dorothy Grace Carper; Brynlee Kennard; and Ryder, Charlie, Chase, & Oliver Sponaugle. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
Paul graduated from Parsons High School in 1956. He played football while in high school. In the years that followed, Paul briefly worked in the oil and gas industry in Pennsylvania, was an attendant at Wratchford’s Service Station, a laborer at the Parsons Tannery and Kingsford Manufacturing for 10 years, and he dedicated 30 years of service to Tucker County Schools as a school bus and coal truck driver.
Paul was a man of faith and loved the Lord. He professed that he was ready to go to Heaven at any time. He attended Riverview Chapel in Porterwood and the St. George Church of God. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he always raised a large garden. He was a talented carpenter and built many birdhouses, swings, and chairs among other things. He cherished time spent with his family, and he enjoyed camping, pitching horseshoes, bowling, riding his motorcycle, watching westerns, and playing cards with his friends, Frank, Sharlene, Don, and Joanne Carr. He also enjoyed his almost-daily visits with his friend, Randolph Lipscomb. He s a devoted fan of the Tucker County High School basketball and football teams, the WVU Mountaineers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He loved ramp digging
The family received friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Parsons, WV on Saturday, December 30, 2023, from 4 to 6 p.m. Final rites were conducted at the funeral home on Sunday, December 31, 2023, at 1 p.m. The Reverend James Snyder officiated and interment followd at the Brights Chapel Cemetery at Dry Fork, WV. The Lohr & Barb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Paul William “Coon” Sponaugle. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lohrbarbfuneralhome.com
