Paul Richard Sperling

Paul Richard Sperling age 90 of Boulder City, NV passed away on March 2, 2021 in Las Vegas, NV.  He was born the second of five children to Paul Schyler and Lillian (Emmons) Sperling in Indianapolis, IN.  In 1944, his family moved to Tucson, AZ so his mother and maternal grandmother could live in the dry, hot air after both surviving TB.  At 17, Paul volunteered and served his country in the USMC, later passing on the motto “Once a Marine, always a Marine,” to his future daughters.

      Upon his return to AZ, Paul began a long Telephone Communications career starting as a lineman for contract work with PanAm, and Bell Telephone.  He worked hard in the extreme temperatures and conditions of AZ, becoming a cable splicer which he was very proud of, saying, “I’m a cable splicer by trade.”  Paul was part of a crew that moved from town to town across AZ, converting the old switchboard system to the new modern system.  In Morenci, while up a telephone pole he spotted Shirli Nardelli (D.1982) walking to work. They met and married in 1954 moving to Bisbee, to Tucson, to Yuma with eventually four daughters.

     In 1965, the young family moved to Las Vegas, NV with Paul transferring from Bell Tele. to Central Tele. Co.  He became a Telcom Architect and Engineer helping design complicated systems for the growing gaming industry.  He in later years would be very instrumental in the design of the system where we all keep our phone numbers, dubbed the Polaris Project.  He retired in 1993.

     Paul had a second marriage from 1974-1984 in which he moved a combined family of 7 kids to Boulder City.

    In 1988, Paul met Nadine Turner eating dinner at the Boulder City Hotel. She complimented his masculine toughness with her perfect sophisticated sassiness. They married in 2002, enjoying many beautiful years together.

    Paul enjoyed camping, boating, and being outdoors. He spent, it seemed like endless hours at Lake Mead and the River. He also enjoyed traveling (Ireland, Panama Canal, Grand Canyon river trip), working with his strong hands, and watching his grandsons play baseball.   He promised his dad he would keep the whole family together and organized a yearly 2-week Rendezvous that was a highlight for many years. Family members lovingly converged at the site, even for just a few days.

  Paul was of the Catholic Faith. Paul is survived by his beloved wife Nadine Sperling; three daughters Roberta (John) Lawrence, Lynda (Steve) Rants, Juli (John) Penuelas; two sisters Barbara (Babs) (Marty D.2019) Ronstadt, Mary Ann (Steve) Smith; son-in-law Jim Brannum (Teresa); nine grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 3 great- great grandchildren.  In addition, many nieces, great nieces, nephews, and great nephews that were very much a part of his life.

     He is preceded in death by; a daughter Paula Kristine Brannum (2009); a great grandson Gaige Rayden Hammond (2019); his parents (1962, 1987); brother David Sperling (2000), sister Donna Pacicco (2018): and nephew Patrick Ronstadt (1976).

     Celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:20 am at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  Family and friends can sign an online memorial guest book at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com

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