George William Spears

George William Spears, 78, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 7, 2025 in Bluffton, SC, after a decade-plus long battle with leukemia. He fought until the very end, having outlived every doctor’s prediction and continuing to golf with his buddies well into December.

George lived a truly remarkable life. In Glen Ellyn, Illinois, he was a star athlete and honor student throughout high school, lettering in 4 sports. His family moved to Japan at the end of his high school career, which led to multiple adventures. George met the Beatles on a plane to Pakistan, played competitive volleyball with the Tokyo Police Department, and became great friends with Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Japan’s version of George Clooney. He could still give directions in Japanese at the end of his life!

He attended Washington University in St. Louis, MO for his AB in Economics (on both academic and athletic scholarships) and his MBA in Finance (on a Defense Act fellowship sponsored by the CIA). While the CIA did come calling after graduation, he turned them down in favor of ‘more stable employment’.

After working for Montsanto Chemicals, he eventually found his calling in portfolio management. George’s steady hand, brilliant mind, and calm demeanor led him to great career success, and he ended his career with Merrill Lynch in 2017.

George was an avid athlete, competing in post-collegiate national AAU volleyball and winning multiple championships in USTA tennis at various levels. After taking up golf in his later years, he again excelled at that, with victories at the club level.

George was predeceased by his wife, Jan Spears. They moved to Hilton Head, SC from Birmingham, AL in 1993, after falling in love with the island on their honeymoon in 1977. He will be survived by his two children and their spouses, Jennifer Bashford (David) and Michael Spears (Molly), and his sister, Suzie Donaldson. He will also be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Porter and Blair Spears.

In the last weeks of his life, Dad said that his only regret was not volunteering his time enough. He was fortunate enough to give financially to many organizations (especially Doctors without Borders), but he wished that he had been able to spend more hands-on time with non-profits, particularly Habitat for Humanity. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider volunteering with your favorite organization.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring.