William Chaplin Spencer, 90, passed away Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House with his family at his bedside.
Mr. Spencer’s memorial service will be held Monday, August 13, 2018 at 11:00 am at India Hook United Methodist Church, 3300 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732 with Rev Tony Adams officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday, August 11, 2018 from 5:00-8:00 pm at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Chaplin and Karen Spencer, 916 Myrtle Drive, Rock Hill and in the Family Life Center following the service.
Mr. Spencer was born May 30, 1928 to the late Charles William Frasier Spencer and Ethel Lenora Chaplin Spencer. He was known to his friends by many nicknames: Spencer, Spec, Tator, Honey to his grandchildren, as well as Bill. He grew up in Rock Hill, playing football and graduated from Rock Hill High School at 16 years old. Thus, began his extensive college career. He attended Clemson, Davidson, Coker and Presbyterian colleges before finishing at USC with a degree in law. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order and USC Law Review. Much of his “mis-spent youth “was at Ocean Drive Beach. He was one of the original “Beach Cats” at the infamous Pad and a renown shagger. A lifelong lover of Jazz, he owned an impressive Jazz collection. When Uncle Sam called, he joined the army and served as an MP in Alaska until the end of WWII. Upon completing his law degree, he returned to Rock Hill to practice law with his father and brother, Charlie, at Spencer and Spencer, the firm his grandfather established in 1873. He was a member of the York County Bar, the Hejaz Shrine Club, the Elks Club, American Legion and The Rock Hill Cotillion. He served on the founding board of the Rock Hill Children’s Attention Home.
Spencer always felt that God had a hand in sending him to India Hook United Methodist Church. He chaired and oversaw the building of a new sanctuary and the Family Life Center. He loved his Church where he sang in the choir, served on every committee and handled all the legal affairs. It was the focus of his attention and only rivaled by his beloved and cursed Gamecocks, depending on the success of the season. Go Cocks! Their home on Lake Wylie was a second home to the friends of their children, many who learned to water ski behind which ever boat was running at the time.
In 1967 he married Ann Ardrey who changed his bachelor pad at the river to a home. They have three children: Robert Anderson Spencer and wife Ann, Nolie Spencer Futch and husband Hank, and William Chaplin Spencer, Jr. and wife Karen. He has six adored grandchildren, 2nd Lt Sam Spencer, Saxby Spencer, Spencer Futch, Henry Futch, William Chaplin Spencer III and Hannah Spencer. He was preceded in death by his sister Lenora (Nolie) Melchers, and his brothers Charles William Frasier Spencer, Jr. and Richard Saxby Spencer.
The family is grateful for the love and concern of their many friends; as well as the loving care provided by his physician, Dr. Tracy Timony, his care giver Patsy Whitlock and the nurses and staff at the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to India Hook United Methodist Church, 3300 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732 or Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731.
Greene Funeral Home Northwest is serving the Spencer Family.
Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net.
Published by The Herald on Aug. 10, 2018.