James E. "Dooley" Spillson, age 76, a lifelong resident of Monroe, Michigan, passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Born August 11, 1949 in Monroe, Jim was the son of the late George A. and Margaret (Lennane) Spillson. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. He attended St. John Elementary School and was a 1969 graduate of Monroe High School.
Jim served his country honorably and proudly in the United States Navy in the 2nd Construction Battalion, the legendary Sea-Bees. Jim completed both amphibious landing training and jungle training in Panama before being stationed in Little Creek, Virginia for the remainder of his enlistment.
In 1970 Jim married Carolyn A. Liedel at St. Mary Catholic Church in Monroe.
A retired carpenter, Jim worked on many iconic construction projects in southeast Michigan including the Renaissance Center, Detroit Edison & Fermi Power Plants, Ford Motor Company, Monroe High School, as well as numerous homes and businesses in Monroe. He built the bars at Pete's Garage, Michigan Bar & Grill, and Johnny Joe's. In his late career he worked for Exhibit Works as a foreman for Ford's auto-show display, traveling to Japan, Germany, Canada, and stops across the U.S.
Jim loved spending time with his family and friends, and valued shared experiences, creating not just memories, but also stories that made those experiences legendary. He had a vast autograph collection encompassing sports figures and entertainers, including Pavarotti, Jerry Seinfeld, Lawrence Taylor, and Sparky Anderson. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, and attended the 100th anniversary in Milwaukee, and Sturgis bike rallies. Jim also had a particular fondness for restoring early 90's Ford Rangers, combining well preserved truck bodies from the desert southwest, with well-preserved interiors, dash, and trim from the Midwest. Jim also loved art, collecting, framing, displaying and gifting paintings and prints.
Jim loved connecting with people. Wherever he went, he was quick to strike up conversations and connect with people. Jim valued hard work, knowledge, determination, and professionalism, and instilled those values in his children and grandchildren.
Whether you knew him as Jim, Dooley, or Grandpa Jim, there's a good chance you have a great story to tell. A larger-than-life personality, with a huge heart. He will be sorely missed.
Jim is survived by his two loving children: Nathan T. (Alison) Berent–Spillson of Ann Arbor and Alane J. (Hovig) Ounjian of Henderson, NV, seven cherished grandchildren:
Jason, Max, Zeke, Mila, Ara, Serj, Leah, and four siblings: David "Satch" (Tina Stoneburner) Spillson, Joseph (Liz) Spillson, Elizabeth Spillson, and William Spillson.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, John (Melody) Spillson.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, beginning at 11:00 am at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161, where funeral services will be held that afternoon at 2:00 pm. Fr. David Burgard will officiate. Interment will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe where the VFW post 1138 will conduct military honors.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .