Emil Edward Spring, a longtime Hampton resident, died Thursday, April 17, 2014, after a brief illness at the age of 84; he was born in New Britain, Connecticut, on August 1, 1929. Emil retired as a SMSgt from the US Air Force after 27 years. He then worked ten years for Sears before becoming a historian for the Newport News Shipyard. A member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and an Eagle Scout, he also was a member of the Hampton Elks Lodge, and the Knights of St. Andrew. Emil was an avid bowler over the years participating in leagues at Spare Times and Fort Monroe; other interests included music, chess, traveling and reading. He was a source of inspiration to his family, strong in character and joyous in heart; he was abundantly generous with his love and guidance and had an awesome sense of humor! The lion has entered eternal sleep, but his influence lives on!

Emil is survived by his children Ann Carrie Sisk, Sandra Gail Christiano, Richard Edward Spring and John David Spring; other survivors include twenty-one grandchildren, fifty-two great grandchildren and eleven great-great grandchildren, as well as his dear friend and companion, June Riffer. He was preceded in death by his wife, Estelle Bessie Spring; daughters, Lucille Bessie Taylor and Ethel Jean Turner; and son, Daniel Bryan Spring.

A memorial service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 250 Fox Hill Road, Hampton, by Rev. Dr. Charles Bang. Interment will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

The family requests that memorial donations be sent, as he would have wanted, to the Alzheimers Association in memory of Emil's late wife Estelle B. Spring.