William Spencer

Mr. William B. Spencer died Thursday, April 30, 2009. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 59 years, Mildred Perdue Spencer and a brother Frank C. Spencer, Jr. of Petersburg. Mr. Spencer was born May 7, 1918 and raised in Petersburg having graduated from Petersburg High School and later received his BS degree from Hamden Sydney College in 1939. He was employed at Brown & Williamson Tobacco and then served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. After attending diesel engineering school at Penn State University, Mr. Spencer served on the submarine USS Boarfish as Lt. Commander in the Pacific campaign with four patrol runs in the South China Sea and Borneo. He was employed at VA. Tractor Company for 40 years as territory sales representative. Mr. Spencer was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church having served on both the Session and Board of Deacons, a member of the Petersburg Rotary Club, served on the District 19 Mental Health Board. Those left to cherish his memories are sons, William B. Spencer, Jr. of Petersburg, Philip C. Spencer and wife, Janet of Prince George; granddaughters, Brittany L. Spencer of Prince George and Lea M. Trant and husband, John H. Trant, II of Chesapeake, VA; sister-in-law, Marie Kevan Spencer, and her children, Frank Carter Spencer, III and Ann Kevan Coburn; and devoted friend, Margaret Wright. Graveside services will be conducted 1:00 pm Monday, May 4, 2009 at Blandford Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 6:30 pm on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 201 Walnut Blvd., Petersburg, VA 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .