Mr. Wayne Spruill, Director of Institutional Research at Welch College, died November 9 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 72 years of age.
Wayne and his wife, Brenda Sanders Spruill, met while they were students at Welch. They both graduated from Welch in 1972, with his emphasis in business. He served as Student Body President. Mr. Spruill was a businessman, having managed several Christian bookstores, including Randall Bookstore and Zondervan Family Bookstores.
Wayne came to work at Welch in 2004 as the Director of Institutional Research and was instrumental in collecting and categorizing data for accreditation purposes. He was still active in this part-time position at the time of his death. He also had managed the campus bookstore and snackshop and was advisor to the college yearbook, the Lumen, from 2007-2021.
Welch College appreciates the dedicated service of Mr. Spruill and the love he had for his alma mater. He is survived by his wife Brenda, their four children, Kevin Spruill (NC), Carol Holland (TN), Beth Spruill (TN), Carl Spruill (HI), and ten grandchildren.
He never let his battle with Muscular Dystrophy hinder his work ethic. Since his confinement to a wheelchair in the early 2000s, he became known as the “Rolling Deacon.” His daughter-in-law, Cynthia, put it well that he is now “walking with Jesus.”
A memorial service will be held at Welch College Celorio Hall Auditorium November 19 at 10:00 a.m.