Home > United States of America > Kansas > Clay County > Clay Center > Greenwood Cemetery > William Friedrich Karl Spilker

William Friedrich Karl Spilker

View larger map

Birth	:	17 Sep 1898 Pickrell, Gage County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	4 Mar 1942 Lee's Summit, Jackson County, Missouri, USA
Burial	:	Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate	:	39.4011002, -97.1275024
Description	:	This is a transcription of two newspaper articles regarding the tragic deaths of Will and Emma Spilker. Clay Center, Kansas newspaper–March 5, 1942 Learn Details of Tragedy Here Relatives of the William Spilkers to Lees Summit Upon learning that their sister, Mrs. William Spilker and Mr. Spilker, lost their lives in a fire early yesterday morning at their country home near Lees Summit, Mo., Fred Willman, George Willman, Mrs. Henry Deeke and Mr. Deeke and children of Hubbell hurried to Clay Center. Late in the afternoon to be with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Willman. They have been... Read More	This is a transcription of two newspaper articles regarding the tragic deaths of Will and Emma Spilker. Clay Center, Kansas newspaper–March 5, 1942 Learn Details of Tragedy Here Relatives of the William Spilkers to Lees Summit Upon learning that their sister, Mrs. William Spilker and Mr. Spilker, lost their lives in a fire early yesterday morning at their country home near Lees Summit, Mo., Fred Willman, George Willman, Mrs. Henry Deeke and Mr. Deeke and children of Hubbell hurried to Clay Center. Late in the afternoon to be with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Willman. They have been unable to learn complete details of the terrible accident that befell the Spilkers. Henry Willman of Clay Center, Fred Willman and Henry Deeke of Hubbell left on the early train today for Lees Summit to help the Spilker children in any way they can. If the daughter, Miss Helen Spilker, is able to travel they plan to bring her and her brother Delmar back to Clay Center with them on the late train tonight. George Willman, Mrs. Deeke and children remained here with their parents. It is thought that the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Spilker will be brought here, and while no definite arrangements have been announced, relatives here believe the double funeral will be held at the Zion Lutheran church Sunday. Mrs. Spilker leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Willman of Clay Center, and the following brothers and sisters–Mrs. Henry Deeke, George and Fred Willman of Hubbell, Nebraska, Henry Willman of Clay Center, Mrs. Albert Beichter of Keats, and Mrs. Ted Mueller of Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Spilker leaves his brothers, Bert of Clay Center and Emil of Lee’s Summit, and one sister, Mrs. Todd Bass of the Industry neighborhood. Their parents are dead. The Spilkers and Willmans formerly lived south of Clay Center. Mr. and Mrs. William Spilker and children, Helen and Delmar, visited with Clay County relatives and friends late in January, when they came here to join in a birthday gathering honoring Mrs. Spilker’s father, William Willman on January 25. They were a happy family group and the untimely death of Mr. and Mrs. Spilker brings deep sorrow to all who know them. The following article was printed from the Kansas City Star, March 5, 1942, then reprinted in the Clay Center newspaper that afternoon. Kerosene poured on coals in a kitchen stove yesterday caused the deaths of Mr. and Mrs. William Spilker, burns to their two children, and the destruction of their farm home on Missouri highway No. 7, one mile south of U.S. highway No. 50. Mrs. Emma Spilker, 40 years old, died in the home and her body remained temporarily in the debris. Mr. Spilker, 43 years old, died a few hours later at the Jackson County Emergency hospital. Miss Helen Spilker, 16 years old, who dragged her father out of the burning house, suffered severe burns on the face and hands. The home was a two-story, seven-room house southeast of Lees Summit and southwest of Blue Springs. Mrs. Spilker went to the kitchen about 7:30 o’clock and, to start a fire in the coal stove, poured kerosene from a 5-gallon can. There was an explosion that shook the house and spread fire over the kitchen and other downstairs rooms. Mrs. Spilker, her clothing in flames, ran into an adjoining room where her husband was sitting. He attempted to extinguish the flames that enveloped his wife, his own clothing caught fire and he collapsed. The daughter, wearing only her night clothing, ran to the assistance of her parents. She recognized that her mother was beyond help and she dragged her father out the front door and fifty feet into the yard. All his clothing, except his shoes and a handkerchief about his neck, and been burned off. Leaving her father lying in the yard, Miss Spilker ran one-half mile in bare feet through deep mud to the highway to summon help. Orien F. Ehrman, a neighbor, heard her calls for help and was first at the scene. Miss Spilker said she searched through the flames and smoke for her 9-year-old brother, Delmar Spilker, and pushed him out a window of his first-floor bedroom before going to her father and mother. Contributor: Diane Decker - [email protected]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Friedrich Karl Spilker's memorial?
William Friedrich Karl Spilker's memorial is located at: Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Clay County, USA.
When did William Friedrich Karl Spilker death?
William Friedrich Karl Spilker death on 4 Mar 1942 in Lee's Summit, Jackson County, Missouri, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Friedrich Karl Spilker's memorial?
Latitude: 39.4011002
Longitude: -97.1275024

Family Members:

Parent

Ernest Heinrich Spilker

(1871 - 1941)

Lizzie Margarethe Luise Charlotte Schlake Spilker

(1877 - 1929)

Spouse

Katherine Emma Willman Spilker

(1900 - 1942)

Siblings

Lillie Maggie Minnie Spilker Bass

(1901 - 1981)

Bert Frederick Spilker

(1904 - 1971)

Emil Friedrich Wilhelm Spilker

(1907 - 1966)

Children

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Greenwood Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4011002, -97.1275024

2. Saint Peter and Saint Pauls Catholic Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4005450, -97.1236680

3. Clay County Poor Farm Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3772700, -97.0727000

4. Wilson Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3800011, -97.1896973

5. Hayes Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4516983, -97.0811005

6. Republican City Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3431015, -97.1628036

7. Swedish Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4735985, -97.1268997

8. Morganville City Cemetery
Morganville, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4733009, -97.1819000

9. Broughton Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3306007, -97.0535965

10. Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4911700, -97.1455100

11. Ebenezer Cemetery
Green, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3866997, -96.9974976

12. Brethren in Christ Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4810982, -97.0344009

13. Green Cemetery
Green, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4235992, -96.9882965

14. Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5027900, -97.1828200

15. Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2928009, -97.1557999

16. Idylwilde Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5097900, -97.0713000

17. Idana Cemetery
Idana, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.3574500, -97.2693300

18. Milo Chapman Gravesite
Broughton, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2888500, -97.0724400

19. Fancy Creek Cemetery
Green, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4668999, -96.9969025

20. Garfield Center Mission Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5243100, -97.1277500

21. Gilbert Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.2853012, -97.0625000

22. Bloom Cemetery
Morganville, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4519005, -97.2778015

23. Joseph Sender Family Cemetery
Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.5090600, -97.0348800

24. Lincoln Cemetery
Clay Center, Clay County, USA
Coordinate: 39.4230995, -97.2930984