Lieutenant Colonel James Alvy Spillman, USAF-Ret., age 89, of Santa Anna, died January 2, 2022, at the home of his daughter, Monique, in Dallas, Texas. 

A private family service will be Saturday, January 15, 2022, at the Santa Anna First Presbyterian Church with former pastor Rev. Kathy Monroe officiating.  A public Interment service will follow at 2:00 pm at the Santa Anna Cemetery Pavilion with full military honors extended by the U S Air Force.  The services are under the care of Henderson Funeral Home staff of Santa Anna.  The family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 until 6:30 pm at Henderson Funeral Home.

“Uncle Jim” was born on January 29, 1932, to Alvy Emmereless Spillman and reared by Alvy and Delta Spillman in Topeka, Kansas, where he graduated from Topeka High School in 1949.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Washburn University in 1954 and immediately entered the United States Air Force to become a tactical fighter pilot.  While in the Air Force, Jim was stationed in Spain, France, Korea, and in Viet Nam during the Viet Nam conflict.

Jim married the love of his life, Alice Anna Guthrie, on June 22, 1957.  He retired from the Air Force on March 1, 1976, at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  After retirement from the Air Force, Jim and Alice Anna moved to Santa Anna where they built their home and lived until Alice died in 2015. Jim later moved to Dallas to live with his daughter.

Jim was employed as an accountant with Herman Bennett Accounting, then five years with Brownwood Woolen Mill, and was Financial Aid Officer in accounting with Central Texas Commercial College until his retirement.

Jim was an active member of Santa Anna Presbyterian Church where he served as a Ruling Elder and as Clerk of the Session.  A long-time member and past President of the Santa Anna Lions’ Club, Spillman served as Club President and kept the club active in civic affairs until it disbanded. He was appointed as City Councilman in 1987 and faithfully served his adopted home twenty years in that position.  He supported and volunteered at the Santa Anna Library for many years alongside his wife Alice Anna. 

In 2018, Jim was officially enrolled on the Tribal Roll of the Potawatomi Tribe.  In 2021, in a ceremony by tribal elder Bob Whistler, Jim was given ritual eagle feathers and Elder Whistler bestowed on Jim the tribal name “Sleeping Warrior.”                                                                    

Uncle Jim is survived by his daughter, Dr. Monique Spillman of Dallas, Texas and several nieces and nephews.