William H. Spencer

April 10, 2014

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William Harvey Spencer 88, of Frankfort, Ind, died at 5:12 p.m. April 10, 2014 at Wesley Manor. Born December 17, 1925 in Frankfort, IN to Walter Linn & Mary Miller (Cheney) Spencer.
He married Erin Whitney in Lebanon, Ind. on April 6, 1952 and she preceded him in death on April 21, 2012. Mr. Spencer was a 1944 graduate of Frankfort High School and attended Purdue and Butler University. A lifelong resident, he was owner and operator of Spencer’s Market for 35 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1944-1946 in the Philippines and Tokyo. Mr. Spencer was a member of the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis, American Legion, Murat Shrine, Masonic Lodge #54 and was an Eagle Scout. Bill enjoyed painting and with his wife Erin, enjoyed being a member of Gourmet Dinner Club.

Visitation and Services

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 352 East Clinton St., Frankfort, Ind. Family will receive friends from Noon-2 p.m. prior to the service at the Church. Family burial will be in Bunnell Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Good Samaritan Fund, c/o Wesley Manor, 1555 N. Main St., Frankfort, Ind.

Survived by:

Son: Eric Whitney (Colleen) Spencer of Frankfort, 4 Grandchildren, Amy (John) Rockhold, Samuel (Angie) Rakowski, Raincloud Moon, and Jamaica Moon (Vidal) Daniels and 10 Great Grandchildren.

Preceded by:

a daughter, Lisa Spencer Moon, a brother, Harrison Cheney Spencer and a sister Margaret Helen Spencer.

Memorial Video

Click on the video below to play.

Condolences

7 Condolences for “William H. Spencer”

  1. Karen & Greg Wysong April 11, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    Eric, Colleen and Family: Please accept our sympathy on the death of your father, Bill. He and Erin were very community minded. Our prayers are with you.

    • Clay April 14, 2014 at 1:10 pm

      Uncle Bill was truly a great man, and he left a lasting impression of kindness, real love, and goodness with us all.

  2. Rosie Wright April 13, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    Eric & Family: So sorry to hear about your loss! You are all in my my thoughts and prayers. Rosie

  3. Bret Whitney April 14, 2014 at 12:29 am

    Dear Eric, and all of the Spencer clan reading this message, I am saddened to hear of my Uncle Bill’s passing, but I am filled with great memories of him, and I can hear his voice and smell his pipe. One evening that he took a bunch of us kids to the store, and we did some rearranging of things on shelves, is deeply etched in my memory. I was really impressed with Spencer’s Market — my Uncle Bill’s store — and I was fascinated to see his general demeanor shift from generally very calm and quiet to a hustling, active businessman in the store. I just loved that night! He’s now with Aunt Erin again, which is such a great thought! Lots of love for them and all of you — Bret

  4. Phil Routh April 18, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    A friend forward Bill’s obit for me to read, I am sending my condolences to the family. It is often said the our epitaph starts with a date and ends with a date with a dash in between. Our lives are represented by the dash….ever so short but ever so meaningful! I worked for Bill the last three years of high school as a stock boy (1958-1960). He was dedicated, fair, a hard worker, had a dry sense of humor that I always found appealing. We used to stock after hours and could leave when finished, we had a newbie that was slacking off getting the job done causing us to leave late. I kept “riding” him to work faster, we ended the evening behind the store “duking it out”. The next day we both were sporting black eyes while bagging groceries. Bill called us into his office for a very stern lecture asking how we thought it looked to the customers to have two stock boys looking like alley cats. He threatened dismissal if it ever happened again but as I was leaving he winked at me and with a very slight smile said “Did you win?” I loved those years I worked for Bill and Mary Spencer. I rarely get back to Frankfort now, occasionally returning to visit my parents graves, always missing the store that used to be on the corner and the people that played an important part in my growing up……may his passing be a celebration of life………………… Phil & Janice Routh, Warsaw IN

  5. Marshall & Phoebe May 10, 2014 at 4:42 am

    Always enjoyed your folks … they were quick with a smile from Erin & a firm handshake from Bill. I count it a tribute to them, having enjoyed the friendship we have with you & Colleen …. the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. You will be in our prayers as you celebrate Bill’s life. Pray you have a memorable time with family & friends.

  6. Larry Hamilton May 12, 2014 at 1:07 am

    Hi Eric and family,
    I worked for Bill all during high school and some college vacations. He was a very good person and a man that I totally respected and enjoyed working for at Spencer’s! He was a great mentor for me.
    Regards, Larry Hamilton

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