Springfield, William
William (Billy) Springfield was born August 5, 1929 in Durham, North Carolina, and left this life on Friday, May 6, 2016 in St. Louis, Missouri, where he lived for 43 years. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (Betty Diekemper) Springfield, father of Juanita Osby (Sherman) Taylor, Stewart (Sheila) Springfield, Shaun Springfield, Petra Townsend, D’Andrea Springfield, Leslie Springfield, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle, brother-in-law, and friend to many others.
Known as “Wigg” to family and many friends in Durham, Billy’s life was centered around sports. He was an All American football player at Hillside High School in Durham where he also played basketball and baseball. He attended North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham and was on the basketball and baseball teams. He was inducted into NCCU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985 for his accomplishments in baseball. He played pro baseball, mainly as a short stop and outfielder, in the Negro League, in leagues in Latin America, and with teams in the St. Louis, Baltimore, and Washington organizations.
Billy came to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973 and became involved in many sports activities. He was an official for college, high school and amateur sports, including men’s and women’s slow and fast pitch softball, baseball, basketball and football. In 1989 he was inducted into the Amateur Softball Association’s National Indicator Fraternity, a high level reward program for umpires. In 2016 he was inducted into the St. Louis Softball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport as an umpire.
Billy had a love for life that was reflected in everything he did. He loved music, especially jazz, and he was always the first and the last one on the dance floor. His love of rhythm was expressed in recent years with his friends in a local drum circle. He traveled to many places and particularly enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Billy and his wife Betty also took frequent trips to the mountains and the oceans and especially enjoyed any place with a scenic view. He had a lot of pride in what he accomplished both on and off the field. When he used the word “pride”, he would say he was talking about professionalism, reliability, intelligence, determination and energy. He was a very caring and supportive person who treated everyone he met with respect. He accepted differences in people and went out of his way to offer help whenever it was needed. Billy had a unique style of conversing with everyone he met, bringing laughter and smiles as he told his stories and left lasting impressions on many throughout his life.
Billy wouldn’t want us to be sad as he leaves us behind. He would prefer that we celebrate his full and happy life. He would smile and say “It is what it is”.
Memorial service 10 AM Fri. June 17, 2016, Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd., St Louis MO 63117. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BJC Hospice Lumina Program, 1935 Belt Way Drive, St. Louis, MO 63114.
Thank You Dad for Loving Me and making me Smile always. You will always be with me in my Heart and we will see each other again on the baseball fields and tennis courts. To God be The Glory!! Mom Betty thanks for loving my dad and I love you always. Peace and Calm to all the family. Know that God loves us and Dad does not want us sad because he was positive energy and joy to so many!!! Love
My hero my best friend all my life
My heart aches so bad but in my deep soul i know u r Alrite now.
I will miss u so so much.
I love u Dad.
Until then??
No more worries, no more pain just peaceful sleep, may perpetual light shine upon you , see you on the other side.
Helen “HJ” Springfield
Such a wonderfull person. I miss Billy very much.
My condolences to you Betty and to your entire family and to Billy’s Family. He was a very special person. I only met him a few times. He seemed very nice. I know the loss is truly great right now, but over time things will get better. We never get over the loss of a loved one. Its not natural to die, but the promises of God will come true. He has never lied to us..and he never will. Revelation 21:3-4
So sorry for the loss. I didn’t know Wigg really well but when we talked he was always a very gracious man. He knew my dad in Wichita, Kansas, which gave us common ground for discussion. He talked about his baseball days and I could tell he was truly a sports man. I truly wish the family well and know that life will not be the same with out Billy being here with us.. Gregory Rounds his neighbor in Olivette, Mo.
Billy, I first met you on a softball field when I played with the Black Aces team.You added personality and expertise to our game. I remember telling a teammate ” What a terrific umpire,hope we see him again. Later I had the pleasure seeing Billy on the touch football fields,with my St.Louis Steelers team. In years to come I helped to push Billy and Betty’s sports car on the trip to New Orleans for the national college flag tournament. Wherever Billy was, he made it a better place. I will see you under the goalposts in Heaven. God Bless.
Billy was a class act……always. Kind, intelligent, and the most fashionable man in the room. Everyone at Cicero’s loved him; customers and staff. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Grandfather, you were definitely a winner! I love you, I miss you. You’ll always be in my heart and my memories. I’ll have those for a lifetime. Rest easy Grandfather..oh, stop talking God’s ears off, he already know your stories and your great wisdom! 🙂
Granddaddy,
We are speak about you as if you’re gone. They must not know about the power of Family, and the blood bond that ties us together. Although we never spent a lot of time together, the time that we did share will never be forgotten. You’re the best. I will always be proud of you. I tell people often that my Granddaddy is the man. You were truly blessed to be a friend of my Grandfather Mr. Springfield. I just look up and say, love you Pops.
My condolences to the Springfield family. I never knew or had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Springfield, but in my research about Augusta baseball history, I’ve had the opportunity to see what a talented athlete he was and to see how he was respected by his peers. God bless you!
MY CONDOLENCES TO THE SPRINGFIELD FAMILY. TO MY FRIENDS PETRA AND SHAUN, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT HE’S NOT GONE; HE’S JUST AWAY. MAY YOU FIND PEACE IN KNOWING THAT HE IS IN GOOD HANDS WITH OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR.
BLESSINGS,
ZOE
Just stopping in to say I miss you Grandfather!!! I miss and love you!
Better late then never! We didn’t opportunity to hangout much like we should of. But the times we did would not be forgotten. I think was just setting back admiring you when I woukd see you. I remember we had a conversation back in 2007 that put me back on track. Seemed like you knew exactly what I was thinking, kind of scared me whit that one. Well keep this short. You been on my mind lately. Maybe you trying to tell me to do better. (I will ) You already know what I’m thinking.
My Father, My friend ,. My comfordom, a Man that was very wise and had a lot of wisdom, you will always be miss and love, sometimes I can hear you saying things that we have talked about, especially when I’m confused about something, ..I would ask myself, what would my Father say, do, or think about this situation. Pop you will always be miss and forever love. Your oldest Daughter Juanita
My Father, My friend ,. My comfordom, a Man that was very wise and had a lot of wisdom, you will always be miss and love, sometimes I can hear you saying things that we have talked about, especially when I’m confused about
something, ..I would ask myself, what would my Father say, do, or think about this situation. Pop you will always be miss and forever love. Your oldest Daughter Juanita
Billy my love. The years I spent with you were the best ones in my life. I’ll never forget you, our 39 years together, our conversations and discussions about everything in life. You were the most supportive person in my life. Never critical, always offering your caring comments and suggestions. You can’t even imagine how much I miss you. Wish we could talk and hug and be together again. Thinking of you always.
My love forever, Betty Boop