The Reverend B. Harry Spurrier, Jr., a minister of The United Methodist Church and 6th generation member of the clergy, passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Wellington Parc. He was 91. Rev. Spurrier loved the Lord and was a member of the United Methodist Annual Conference for over 54 years. He was born in Smithland, Kentucky, one of nine children of the late B. Harry Spurrier, Sr. and Pearl Dodds Spurrier. He grew up in Marion, KY and in 1945 graduated from Mattoon High School in Repton, KY. Following graduation, his early career included jobs with Evansville Crown Pottery, in a rock quarry, and with Louisville Gas and Electric. While in Louisville he met and married Mary Ruth Morris. During the Korean Conflict, he joined the United States Army with which he served in Japan. Upon his discharge, he returned to Louisville and led singing in several churches. Rev. Spurrier began preaching in 1956, serving the Falls of Rough Circuit which included five churches, while attending Kentucky Wesleyan College. Following his graduation from KWC in 1960, he enrolled in the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary from which he earned his Master of Divinity degree. His pastorates included the Smith Mills UMC, Lebanon Junction UMC, Mt. Union UMC in Scottsville, St. James UMC in Bowling Green of which he was the founding pastor, Fairview UMC, associate of Trinity Temple UMC in Louisville, Hazelwood UMC, The Hodgenville charge which included New Haven UMC in Hodgenville UMC, Hawesville and Hilldale UMC, Bennett Memorial UMC in Henderson, Petrie Memorial UMC in Elkton, and Hartford UMC. He preached revivals throughout his ministry, and following his retirement served as interim pastor of several churches. Rev. Spurrier was among the original organizers of the Emmaus Walk in Owensboro, working with the first class. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters Daniel Newman Spurrier, John David Spurrier, Ruth Spurrier, Elizabeth Rhoden, Louise Phillips, Mary Frances Burger, and Pauline Smith.
Those who remain to cherish his memory include his wife of 69 years, Mary Ruth Spurrier; his children The Rev. Kenneth D. Spurrier (Becky), of Beaver Dam, and Shari Blackwell (Randy) of Sommerville, GA; his grandchildren Angela Johnson, Eric Johnson, Randy Lee Blackwell, Brandon Spurrier, and DeAnna Smith (James), 4 great-grandchildren, his sister Naomi Thurmond (Joe), and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for The Rev. B. Harry Spurrier will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Wesleyan Heights United Methodist Church, where visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Saturday. A service of committal and burial will be at 4:00 p.m. Saturday at the Rosebud United Methodist Church Cemetery in Crittenden County, KY. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to United Methodist Homes of Kentucky. Memories and messages of condolence for the family of The Rev. B. Harry Spurrier may be shared at www.glenncares.com.