2 days ago
Charles Billmyer Sperow Jr.
Charles Billmyer Sperow Jr., 98, of Martinsburg, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Hospice of the May 5, 1927, in Martinsburg, he was a son of the late Charles B. Sperow, Sr. and Alice Maddex is survived by five children, David (Debbi), Mark (Rhonda Reymond), Kathy (Steve) Ritchie, Marty, and Jean (Paul) Hilgers; seven grandchildren; and 10 addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Sylvia, his wife of 72 years; sisters, Anne Sperow and Virginia Butler; son, Leslie; and grandson, Nathan up on a farm in Berkeley County, Charles ('Charlie') developed an interest in farming methods and crop production that would eventually lead to his career as an agronomist at West Virginia 21, Charlie's long and active participation in 4-H led to his being one of 31 young people selected from across the U.S. for the International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) program. Started after World War II, the program's goal was to foster 'peace through understanding.' While Charlie went to Sweden, others went to various countries, working and interacting with their communities. In exchange, young people from those countries came to the was professor of agronomy and soil science at West Virginia University for 39 years. During his career, he served as superintendent of WVU's Ohio Valley Experiment Station near Point Pleasant, and with his family, spent 4½ years in Uganda on a WVU-USAID contract, where Charlie was a lecturer at Bukalasa Agricultural his return to WVU's Morgantown campus, Charlie served as Extension Specialist — Agronomy. He was instrumental in developing and implementing technologies to improve crop production and management, and coordinated the West Virginia Conservation Farmer program for many years. Following the November, 1985 flood that devastated parts of West Virginia, he worked with local agencies to provide emergency winter feed supplies and restore cropland productivity. He was also active in the Northeast Agronomy Society and served a term as its retiring in Morgantown, Charlie continued to be involved with his church, St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church, Meals on Wheels, and Mended avid photographer, Charlie's camera accompanied him everywhere he went, and he maintained a substantial photo collection of family, farms, crops, flora, and memories from his overseas was known for his quick wit and sense of humor. He was well read and could converse insightfully on almost any subject. One granddaughter summed up Charlie's life, saying he loved well and was well will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26, in St. Thomas a Becket Episcopal Church in Morgantown. Interment will be private.
Those desiring to give memorial gifts are encouraged to give to Hospice of the Panhandle athttps:// or to a charity of your choice.
