During the early morning of Friday, July 14th, 2017, William LaMont Spencer of Canton passed away quietly at Troy Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was 80 years of age.
Known to all as Bill, he was born September 20th, 1936 in Canton, and graduated Canton High School with the class of 1954. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until 1958. That same year he married Bonita Acresti and in 1959 entered the U. S. Air Force.
Bill and Bonnie had six children and resided in many states throughout his 16 years in the Air Force. In 1967 Bill was called to serve his country in Vietnam. His wife and children fondly recall the many messages he sent, via reel tapes throughout the year he was away. Bill retired from the Air Force in 1974 and he and his family returned to Canton. He was employed at Ward Manufacturing for 24 years, retiring in 2001. Bill was very devout in his Catholic faith and was an active parishioner of St. Michael Parish in Canton, where he sang in the church choir and enjoyed the daily Mass. He also enjoyed hunting, bench rest shooting and working on cars. He was a hard working provider and a devoted husband and father.
Known to all as Bill, he was born September 20th, 1936 in Canton, and graduated Canton High School with the class of 1954. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until 1958. That same year he married Bonita Acresti and in 1959 entered the U. S. Air Force.
Bill and Bonnie had six children and resided in many states throughout his 16 years in the Air Force. In 1967 Bill was called to serve his country in Vietnam. His wife and children fondly recall the many messages he sent, via reel tapes throughout the year he was away. Bill retired from the Air Force in 1974 and he and his family returned to Canton. He was employed at Ward Manufacturing for 24 years, retiring in 2001. Bill was very devout in his Catholic faith and was an active parishioner of St. Michael Parish in Canton, where he sang in the church choir and enjoyed the daily Mass. He also enjoyed hunting, bench rest shooting and working on cars. He was a hard working provider and a devoted husband and father.
Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Bonnie; children Elizabeth (&Jeffrey) Cole, Cynthia (& Archie) Vroman, David (& Maxine) Spencer and Ramona Parker; daughter-in-law Teresa Spencer; brothers Robert A. (& Bettie) Spencer, Joseph (& June) Spencer, Stephen (& Glenda) Spencer, as well as 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his eldest son, William L. “Monty” Spencer, II and eldest daughter Kathleen, his parents, Walter and Geraldine Spencer, his brother Thomas and brother-in-law Michael Acresti.
Family and friends paid their last respects on Sunday, July 16th, from 6 to 8 PM at Morse and Kleese Funeral Home, Canton. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated 10 am Monday at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church.
Interment followed in the parish cemetery, where, in honor of his twenty years of military service and being a Vietnam Veteran, full military honors were accorded by the Canton VFW Post #714. A light luncheon was served at St. Michael’s Church Hall.
The family suggests that contributions be directed to Veterans of America-veteransofamerica.vet in honor of William L. Spencer, Sr. www.morseandkleesefuneralhome.com
He was preceded in death by his eldest son, William L. “Monty” Spencer, II and eldest daughter Kathleen, his parents, Walter and Geraldine Spencer, his brother Thomas and brother-in-law Michael Acresti.
Family and friends paid their last respects on Sunday, July 16th, from 6 to 8 PM at Morse and Kleese Funeral Home, Canton. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated 10 am Monday at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church.
Interment followed in the parish cemetery, where, in honor of his twenty years of military service and being a Vietnam Veteran, full military honors were accorded by the Canton VFW Post #714. A light luncheon was served at St. Michael’s Church Hall.
The family suggests that contributions be directed to Veterans of America-veteransofamerica.vet in honor of William L. Spencer, Sr. www.morseandkleesefuneralhome.com
