Bennett Spelce

If we are lucky, we have many lives in the time between birth and death. These lives offer time to grow emotionally and spiritually. The phases give us opportunities to acquire wisdom and be of service to causes greater than ourselves.

William “Bennett” Spelce was born to Neal Leslie Spelce and Fannie Lou Spelce. He had an older brother Neal who would be his companion through a childhood defined by numerous moves. As a result of the moves this bright mathematically gifted boy would skip a grade or two between school changes. In his teens he would attend the University of Texas business and law school.

Bennett was a shy man who never enjoyed the glare of attention. He played down his exceptional gifts and many achievements. Bennett paid his way through college by playing Bridge and he adored puzzles and number games. Bennett’s mind was sharp he was capable of adding columns of 6 or 7 figure numbers in his head.

Bennet’s favorite job was as an auditor for the University of Texas Higher Education Systems where he had the opportunity to audit many Universities and Colleges in Texas. His incredible ability to observe mathematical patterns made him an expert auditor which led him on many interesting and sometimes humorous adventures. Bennett worked best with solving and negotiating business and personal contracts. The more a contract was loaded with details and financial complexities the better.

Bennett loved to hunt and spend time in the outdoors with his nephew Allen Spelce. Perhaps Bennett’s favorite hobby or passion was the art world. Bennett had an excellent eye for art, he was a collector of early Latin American art. Bennett also played a big role in the development of his mother’s painting career, and the graphic design and painting career of his wife Dianne Oury Spelce. He was a great fan and honest critic.

In 1988, his life radically changed. Bennett’s career as an advertising agency owner ended along with his second marriage. Bennett stood at a crossroads. At this point Bennett decided to radically change how he had been living his life. On August 8th,1989, Bennett quit drinking by joining the program of Alcoholic Anonymous. Bennett began a new life based on the principles of the program. He embraced a life of humility, kindness, understanding, tolerance and service. Bennett developed lasting friendships and gave his time freely to all he met. At one of these meetings, he met his wife Dianne after hearing her speak. Bennett impressed Dianne with his gentleman-like conduct by arranging a formal introduction. From that moment on she knew she was in the presence of a man of great character, integrity and dignity. When they discovered their common passion for art, dogs and nature their partnership was sealed. They spent the next 34 years devoted to each other, their dogs, their cats and living a simple life surrounded by art and spirit.

Early in his sobriety Bennett started following the religious path of the Lakota People and was recognized as an elder fire tender, sun dancer, and pipe carrier. Bennett’s gift and ability to tend the sacred fire and stones for ceremonies was one of his most valued accomplishments. Bennett demonstrated through his actions how to live a life of quiet humility and service to all people, the planet and to his understanding of god’s will.

Bennett died at home as he requested with Dianne, their dogs and friend Regina in attendance. Bennett prayed into the next dimension holding his pipe with Chief Carlos Spotted Eagle on May 30, 2024.

He is survived by his loving wife Dianne, their faithful dogs Dancer and Kate, his brother Neal and his wife Connie, nephew Allen and his wife Kit their children Zach and Carson, niece Cile and her husband Chris, mother-in-law Norma, cousin-in-law Michelle, cousin LD Bennett and his wife Nancy, aunts-in-law Joyce Oury and Phyllis Mast, uncle-in-law Glen Oury and a very large extended family of Ourys and Masts. He will be greatly missed by his many AA friends and his ceremony family.

He was preceded in death by one premature baby, his mother and father, uncle Dude, father-in-law Stan Oury, uncle-in-law Dan Oury, his aunts-in-law Ruth McMurray and Eloise Oury, his first wife Beck Spelce, “AA twin” friend Joe Grady Moore, and his beloved dogs Trigger, Thumper, Callie, Tigger, Sky, Sidney and Nico, and cats Lucy, Luke, and Willow.

He is surrounded by love in the next world as was in this one. A successful person is not defined by position or pay but by how they love and treat others. Bennett Spelce was profoundly successful.