Funeral services for Dr. Michael D. Spears will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, April 2, 2018 at First Baptist Church West Monroe. Rev. Michael Wood will officiate, assisted by Dr. Woods Watson. Interment will follow at Zion Hill Cemetery, Farmerville, LA. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 1, 2018 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home West Monroe.Michael D. Spears was born to the union of Marvin and Gladys Spears in 1940. Having grown up in rural Union Parish, LA, Michael knew well the ways of enjoying life in the country. Michael went on to pursue a life in music as he earned his Masters in Music Ed from LA Tech in 1965. He later earned his doctorate in 1977 from NLU. Michael was also proud to have served in the United States Air Force Reserves.Dr. Michael Spears was well respected in the music education field serving the state of Louisiana 49 years. He taught band at WMHS for 47 years and was inducted into the LMEA LA Hall of Fame in 1999 as well as being the recipient of the Louisiana State Band Director of the year award in 2006. He also received other wards including the Superintendent of Educations Certificate of Merit in 1981. In 1991 he received the Award of Excellence from the Ouachita Parish School Board, the MAC Award, and the John Phillip Sousa Award presented by the Sudler Foundation. More honors include outstanding District 1 Director Award in 2003 and 2006, the National Band Association Citation of Excellence in 2001 and Citations of Appreciation from the City of West Monroe in 1987, 1991 and 2013. Dr. Spears served on various panels for judging bands across the nation for decades. Lifelong friends were made in the West Monroe community as well. Dr. Spears along with Jack White were proud to have begun the Northeast LA Community Band or Twin City Band.Many friends gained through the years also were in the churches where Dr. Spears served as music director. He served at Good Hope Baptist Church, then for 27 years as choir director at First Baptist Church Calhoun, LA and served 25 years as orchestra director at First Baptist West Monroe.Michael D. Spears is survived by his wife of 51 years, Susan R. Spears; daughter, Michelle Bell and husband Dr. Bob Bell; son, Jonathan Spears and wife Stacey H. Spears; grandsons, Michael J. Bell, Michael Landon and Jonathan Logan Spears all of West Monroe; sisters, Sue Green and husband Ronnie, Beth Coplin and husband Wendell; mother-in-law, Mary G. Rhodes; he leaves a host of cousins, brother and sisters-in-law along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at Landmark Skilled Nursing and Rehab and acknowledge the support of the West Monroe Community for all these years of love and support but we acknowledge mostly our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His Love and Care.