William Thomas Spencer Ii

William Thomas Spencer, II, 83 years old, resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, went home to be with his
Lord peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, February 6, 2018.
Bill Spencer was born March 31, 1934 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was the son of William Thomas
(Tom) Spencer and Ruby Finnell Spencer of Chattanooga. Bill graduated from Chattanooga Central High
School.
Bill married the love of his life, Wanda LaJune Patton, July 9, 1956 in Chattanooga. Bill and Wanda were
partners throughout their marriage. They traveled the world during Bill’s 10 years of active duty in the
U.S. Army. They lived 3 ½ years in Ethiopia where Bill served in the Army Security Agency. Bill also
worked with the Sudan Mission Society while on active duty in Ethiopia. Bill was an Instructor at Fort
Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts with the Army Security Agency.
Bill attended Carson-Newman University and graduated from Union University with his B.A. degree and
earned his M.A. Degree from the University of North Alabama. Bill was a member of the Sons of the
American Revolution, a Mason, and served on numerous Boards and Committees in state and local
Southern Baptist Associations in Tennessee and Alabama.
Bill invited Jesus Christ into his heart April 2, 1944 at Woodland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga. Bill
was licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ on September 2, 1953 at Woodland Park Baptist
Church. Bill and Wanda Spencer served the following Southern Baptist churches and Associations:
First Baptist Church, Guild, Tennessee; Calvary Baptist Church, Ayer, Massachusetts (17th SBC church in
New England); Eldad Baptist Church, Gibson County, Tennessee; First Baptist Church, Trenton,
Tennessee; Nashway Baptist Church, Jackson, Tennessee; Gibson Baptist Church, Tennessee; First
Baptist Church, Charleston, Tennessee; Underwood Baptist Church, Florence, Alabama; Bethel Baptist
Association – Director of Missions, Linden, Alabama; North American Mission Board SBC – Missionary,
Director of Missions, Iowa. Following his retirement from the North American Mission Board, Bill
continued to serve churches in Alabama and Tennessee as Pastor and interim Pastor. He was a member
of First Baptist Church, Cleveland, Tennessee where he served as a Sunday School teacher for many
years.
Bill Spencer loved his 3 children and their spouses: William Thomas Spencer, III and Cheryl; Lydia
Spencer Roberson and Mitchell; David Harold Spencer and Melanie.
Bill Spencer (Daddy Bill to the grandchildren) also loved his 7 grandchildren: Christy Spencer Graham and
Jacob; Bethany Elise Spencer; Grace Anne Spencer; John Jay Roberson; Kenneth Mitchell Roberson, III;
William Thomas Spencer, IV; Abigail Christiana Spencer.
Bill was also blessed to love his 2 great-grandchildren: Neelie Kay Graham and Lillian Marie Graham.
Bill’s service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 9, 2018, at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, where
he will be interred with his fellow Veterans. The family is grateful for all the expressions of love and
sympathy regarding Bill Spencer. They rest in the blessed hope of their Savior and Lord during this time
of loss.