Cecil Lester Spafford, 78, Minot and formerly of Maxbass and Williston died on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 in a Dunseith nursing home.

Cecil was born on November 23, 1937 in Westhope, ND to Cecil and Clara (Krogen) Spafford. He was reared and educated in Maxbass, graduated from Maxbass High School in 1955, attended Jamestown College and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Secondary Education. He taught high school English and Communications at Walhalla for four years and Williston for seven years prior to retiring due to ill health. He moved to Minot in 1992. Most recently, he had been a resident of the Dunseith Nursing Home for the past two years.

Cecil was a member of Vincent United Methodist Church and a former member of Grace Methodist Church - Maxbass. He was a former member of the National Education Association, ND Education Association, Masonic Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, Minot Scottish Rite and KEM Temple of the Shrine. Also, he was a former member of the Sons of Norway, Royal Neighbors, Elks Lodge and Bottineau County Historical Society. Cecil especially enjoyed reading and historical research.

Cecil is survived by his sisters: Gail (Lee) Stickle of Rock Falls, IL, Kay (Darnell) Blackwell of Seaford VA and Sharon Jensen of Upham and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Ralph, Clayton and Marion Gorman.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in Vincent United Methodist Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park - Minot.

Visitation: Tuesday, one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials: In lieu of plants and flowers memorials are preferred to the Graceland Cemetery - rural Maxbass.