William Spence, Jr.

William Spence Jr. was born May 5, 1926 in Boston, MA to William Spence and Beulah (Boots) Spence. Bill was the second of three children and the first son. He died on November 14, 2019 with family by his side. He was 93 at the time of his passing.

Bill Spence was born for military service. His father was a strong leader and instilled into his children the need to defend our great country against all enemies both foreign and domestic. It became part of the makeup of Bill from his enlistment in the Army during WWII, his graduation from his father's alma mater, West Point and his service in the Korean War. Bill saw both the enlisted side of the house and the officer side which allowed him to be a good leader during his service in Korea. Post war life saw Bill take up work in the reserves where, through both active duty assignments and reserve duty, he rose to the rank of Colonel in the US Army.

While still on active duty Bill started a family with the love of his live, Jean Raithel. After several tours in both the US and Germany, they returned to San Antonio, Texas with their two daughters, Terry Jean and Susan Toy. Both of their sons, William (Will) and Robert Raithel were born in San Antonio.

From San Antonio, the family moved north to Austin where Bill studied engineering and computer science at the University of Texas and began working for the IRS. Bill also found time to volunteer in the Austin community by serving as a Vice Commodore for the Austin Aqua Festival where he championed the participation of the US Army's Golden Nights Parachute Corp.

Bill was a member in good standing of the Austin Citizens Band Radio Club which afforded many opportunities to help out with public and civic events including the Channel 9 Monitors. The CB Club also provided communications support for the original Dripping Springs Reunion, and the Kerrville Folk Festival when that event made its debut at the Quiet Valley Ranch. Bill was heavily involved with the Boy Scouts of America earning his Wood Badge and making a trip to through Philmont with his eldest son.

After his retirement in 1981, Bill moved back to San Antonio to take care of his parents. He later bought a house and provided a home for his son, Robert, and his family. Bill spent the majority of his later years spending time with his kids and grandkids. He was always interested in what their future plans were, even up to the end when he hosted a round table with many of his grands just a week before his passing. Bill also enjoyed traveling, often with his Uncle Henry Brown and son Will.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Brig. Gen William and Boots Spence, wife Jean, his son Robert grandson, Lupe Hernandez Jr., his sister Luanne Taylor and her husband Col. Benjamin Taylor.

Bill is survived by his brother, Lt. Col Craig H. (Mary Jean) Spence, his daughters, Terry (Bill) Young, Susan (Brett) Cotham, Ida (Craig) Ellis and his son, William Spence III. Bill has eleven Grandchildren: Robert (Krissy) Young, Michael (Natalie) Young, Katie Young, Bryce Cotham, Cameron Cotham, Camille Cotham, Danielle Spence, Kyle (Rachel) Spence, India (Jake) Edel, Mia Cortez and Raithel Jean (Braden) Martin whom he adored and six great grands Jaina, Noah, Ethan, Jason, Landon and R.J. Bill also had many marvelous nieces and nephews whom he loved.

A memorial service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Dec. 18th at 1pm. A reception will follow afterwards. Arrangements by Porter-Loring Funeral Home, San Antonio, Texas. https://www.porterloring.com/

In lieu of flowers, we ask that a donation be made to the T1 Diabetes Research Foundation, https://www.jdrf.org/donate/, or a charity of your choice.