William O. Spaulding

William Otis Spaulding (known to friends as Billy) but only his family was allowed to call him Oty.  He was 62 years old and resided in Brandon, Florida. He passed away on July 19, 2015, due to complications from a heart attack.

The funeral service will be held on August 4, 2015 at 2:30pm at Florida National Cemetery where a Marine Chaplain will be officiating.  Burial will follow the funeral at the same location.

Otis was born in North Carolina on December 11, 1953. He graduated from high school and continued to further his education by taking college courses for computer programming.

Otis has two children Shannon Spaulding and Shane Spaulding.  Shannon and Shane Spaulding now have families of their own and reside in Florida.

Otis loved to work with his hands and he was always taking something apart or rebuilding it.  He loved to read and had quite the movie collection.  Otis was also very willing to help anyone who was in need.  He had a big heart and a smile that could light up your day! Otis always had a ready joke to lighten the day and bring joy to your heart.

Otis is survived by his mother, Lessie M. Sanchez, one brother, George Joe Sanchez, five sisters, whom by the way, were always told individually, that we were all his favorite sisters; Dessa M. Nunlist, Jeani Sanchez, Cindy Sanchez, Teresa Wade, Paula Cummings and Brandi Sanchez, two children, Shannon Spaulding and Shane Spaulding, and four grand children. His brothers Andrew Spaulding and Paul Spaulding precede Otis in death.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital.  Contact information for all donations is JAHVH Voluntary Service office at 813-972-7533. The family of William Otis Spaulding (Billy) wishes to thank his closest friend, which Otis considered his brother from another mother, Pablo Cortes and his wife Maria.  We cannot thank you enough for always being there and including Otis in your family. Pablo’s sister Raquel and her husband, Javier Ruiz have also been his supportive extended family.  He always considered your whole family as his own.  Thank you for always giving him a safe place to land.

Personal Messages:

From Dessa:  Otis was and always will be my brother and friend.  He will always be in my thoughts and my heart.   We picked on each other a lot, laughed about it and always said I love you.  I will miss you brother.  My heart is breaking.  May God keep you in his care.  Your sister alwaysJ

Personal Message, Terri Wade

Dear Brother of Mine, Today is full of memories of a brother laid to rest and every single one of them is filled with happiness. From the time I was a teenager you taught me not to let people take advantage of me, and not to judge people because I don’t know their story.

You taught me how to drive my first stick shift at 2:00am in the morning going down Roosevelt Blvd. and even though I was grinding every gear you assured me it was ok though I could clearly see you cringing. This of course took place after one of our many fun filled nights at Cherries! I can still see you dancing with that big smile on your face that never faded the whole time. We shared so many laughs and fun times together I don’t even want to list them because I want to keep them locked up for my own fond memories.

For you were someone special, always such a joy to know and even in your final days you could still tell a joke and get a laugh out of me. I will miss our phones calls and our random text messages, most of all because that’s when your real humor and love would shine!

This message is sent to the heavens above for the angels to take care of you and give you all my love.

Your FAVORITE sister Terri,