James Spiers

     James Richard Spiers was born on October 2, 1963, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Billy Ross and Gwendola (Daniel) Spiers. He passed away on November 10, 2025, at the age of 62.

    Jim graduated from Pattonsburg High School in 1982 and went on to graduate from Culver-Stockton College in 1986 with a music education degree. He was the K-12 vocal music teacher and talented/gifted teacher for the Worth County R-III School from 1990-2011, when he retired. During his career at Worth County, he conducted many successful choirs and the pinnacles of his directing career were performances at MMEA and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

     Jim married Merry Counsell on August 5, 1995, in Grant City. To this union one daughter, Merrideth Spiers, was born. Merrideth quickly became the center of the household and kept her parents busy following her many activities. Jim was exceedingly proud of Merrideth's accomplishments and her biggest cheerleader.

     Most importantly, Jim always believed in challenging his students to reach their full potential, even though it might be out of their comfort zone. Using tactics that might be described as part Harold Hill and part used car salesman, Jim was generally able to convince and provide the tools necessary for all students to achieve success whether it be in choir, on the stage, or in the TAG classroom. Jim believed in them, so they believed in themselves.

     Jim is survived by his wife, Merry; daughter, Merrideth; uncles, Max Spiers and J.C. Youngs; brother-in-law, Don (Shelly) Counsell; sisters-in-law, Deanna (Mark) Counsell and Heather (Pete) Rysavy; nieces and nephews: Angelique Skeries, Jason Newman, Sarah Malcolm, Megan Hulett, Rheannon Carnagey, Derek Counsell, Logan Rysavy, and Grayson Rysavy, as well as many cousins and great-nieces and nephews.

     Jim was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Carla Coulter, Phillip Spiers, and Kimberly Wilson; sister-in-law, Denise Counsell; nephew, Cole Counsell; niece, Melissa Spiers; father and mother-in-law, Gene and JoAnn Squier; and great-nephew, Tristan Hulett.

     Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, Missouri. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will be in the Grant City Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the WC Ed. Foundation Music Endowment.

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