Roy E. Spaulding

Roy E. Spaulding passed away February 12, 2023, in Olympia, Washington, his home since 1980. He was born September 8, 1940, to Eugene Willard Spaulding and Mary Louise (McCrary) Spaulding in Houston, Texas. Roy also resided in Newport News, Virginia (1965-1967), Alameda, California (1967); and Eugene, Oregon (1968-1980). Roy graduated from Denton Senior High School in Denton, Texas, and attended Texas Technological College for one year. He then served eight years in the U.S. Navy, spending two tours of duty in Vietnam (1960-1968). He was a nuclear reactor technician aboard 1C2 USS Enterprise CUAN65. After the service, Roy spent four years in electrical apprentice school Local 280 in Eugene. Professionally, he worked as an electrician in Eugene (1969-1980), at Satsop Power Plant (1980-1983), for the State of Washington (1984-1992), and was Electrical Inspector for the Washington State Department of Transportation (1992-2005). Roy married Freda Joyce Hollar on April 11, 1965, in Claremont, North Carolina. He loved gardening, fishing, and providing maintenance at Camp Bethel and First Baptist Church of Olympia, where he was a member. He also was a member of American Legion Washington Post 94. Roy is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Freda Spaulding; daughters, Beth Flynn and her husband Pat Flynn, and Jennifer Shutter; four grandchildren, Stephanie Flynn, Jared Shutter, Melissa Flynn and fiancé Kyle Howlett, and Matthew Shutter; and sister, Louanne McAnally. He was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Mary Bird; his birth father, Eugene Spaulding; brothers, Gene Spaulding and Joe Spaulding; and son-in-law Sean Shutter. A memorial service will be held for Roy on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Olympia First Baptist Church, 904 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501. Memorial donations in Roy’s honor may be made to Camp Bethel, 347 Kirkpatrick Rd., Hoquiam, WA 98550. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.