Joseph Ward Spendlove (J, J Ward, Speedy) passed away Jan. 18, 2022, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born in Delta, Utah, July 29, 1942, to Ward Spendlove and Barbara Mortensen. He married Sharon Mae Drysdale on June 9, 1962. Together they had three children Terri, Russell, and Robert. They later divorced. He married Ann Frampton, on June 4, 2001, they were married for a short time.
He spent his early childhood in Delta, Utah. He moved to Tooele, Utah, when he was 15 years old. He graduated from Tooele High School in 1960; he then attended Weber State College. He was selected by the U.S. Government to work on a special assignment with the Nike Hercules Missile System. He traveled the world, installing and testing this system. His career continued at different bases until his retirement from Tooele Army Depot.
He was a smart and talented man, which was evident from a young age. Some of his favorite interests included: fixing and racing cars, hunting deer and pheasants, and fishing and camping in the Uintas. He was a master at fixing anything and everything. He always hated to pay someone to build, fix, or install anything for him, because he could do it himself. If there was something he couldn’t do himself, he would call on his many friends who would help him figure it out.
He is survived by his children Terri (Mike) Garrard, Russell (Emily) Spendlove, and Robert (Danna) Spendlove; grandchildren Joey (Angela) Garrard, Amy (Jordan) Giles, Dan Garrard, Joel (Lauren) Spendlove, Andrew Spendlove, Skyler Spendlove and Janna Emfield; and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Don Spendlove and Dorothy (Albert) Bottema, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson Colton Spendlove.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Cottage Glen, with a special thanks to Michelle and Annalisa, who took extra good care of J in his short stay with them.
A celebration of life was held Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.