Edgar Leon Spires

Edgar “Ed” Leon Spires, 75, of Spartanburg, SC passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024. Ed’s sudden passing leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 32 years, Susan Smith Spires, who adored him and their life together.

He was born on November 15, 1948, in Columbia, South Carolina to the late Fletcher and Vermell Spires. Ed graduated from Columbia Business College. Ed served in the United States Army’s 3rd Armored Division stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. He attended Indiana State University, and the University of South Carolina. Ed had a healthcare career spanning more than 40 years. The last decade he thoroughly enjoyed working as a Solutions Consultant for AccuReg, a division of Optum.  Ed was a current Fellow of the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM). Ed formerly served as President of the NAHAM Board of Directors.

Ed will be remembered for his deep love for the Lord, his family, music and traveling. He was a true Southern gentleman and especially enjoyed interacting with colleagues, clients, and those in the community. Ed was a member of First Baptist North Spartanburg.

He was the most incredible dad to his children, Cassie S. Ezell (Matthew), Nicholas Johnson (Cassandra), of Boiling Springs, SC and Brandon Spires, of Lexington, SC. He cherished being Pops to his six grandchildren, Sarah K. Ezell, Noah K. Ezell, Andrew C. Johnson, Breyonna K. Spires, Shandon C. Spires, and Russell B. Cox.

Ed was blessed with loving sisters-in-law; Rachel Brooks, Sandra Walker, Vicky Kelley, Judy Hall (Roddy), Lois Reynolds (Roger), and Sheila Abbott (Steve); and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings, Fletcher M. Spires, III, Anna Bernice Rhodes, and Mary Louise Boozer.

Visitation will be 12:30-1:30 pm on April 5, 2024 at First Baptist North Spartanburg, 8740 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg, SC 29316. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm, conducted by Dr. Mike Hamlet. Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made, in Ed’s memory, to Mobile Meals, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304.