On this anniversary, I am remembering Bill as a terrific friend and colleague/classmate from the West Point Class of 1974. We are from the same region in New York State and I always enjoyed our talks and remembrances of our common roots. Bill is sorely missed.

Steve Shambach, USMA '74

I was Bill's next door neighbor.   Although he was three years older than me, he taught me so much about football, baseball and basketball.  I was always proud to watch him compete in football, basketball and track.  A champion in all three sports, he gave me so much to look forward to.  I remember playing basketball in the road with him the day before he left for West point.  Some tears for sure.  Thank you for your service Bill. Rest in peace.

Bill and I were best friends in elementary and high school. We were both athletes and Army officers. I recall how he lit into a plebe at West Point who saluted me in my ROTC uniform :).  Lots of memories from Middleport and Roy Hart. I think of Bill often. 
Wes Querns

We will have a drink with Bill's favorite beverage tonight at our Golfing Grads of West Point event from the Class of '74 in his honor. He will be missed as he was such an integral part of our class in spirit and mind. We will pass on any memories or photos of old friends if desired. I can be reached at jdwp74@yahoo.com or john.draper@rbc.com. 

Warm wishes,

John Draper (# 312 286 1842)

Thank you, Bill, for representing us so well over the years.
Now, we carry you in our hearts.
Respectfully,
Dom Lovallo, Co F-2, Class of 1974

Bill and I came from small towns in upstate New York.  We were both basketball players in high school and, though not in the same league, had occasion to scrimmage against each other. That was before we knew each other at West Point. Actually, I started with the Class of 1973, took a year out at college and joined the Class of 1974 in 1972. I met Bill on several occasions, particularly when we traveled back home. Bill was ALWAYS gracious and said I was difficult to guard on the basketball court. That was not how I remembered it as he was obviously the better player. He was very proud to be installed in the High School Hall of Fame in his hometown. He was always humble even with this honor. In later years, I only saw Bill a couple of times. Every class reunion and get together with classmates, I always sought out Bill to talk with and we really enjoyed reminiscing. More recently, Bill was a classmate I wanted to keep in touch with on the class prayer chain. His faith and love of the Lord was strong and encouraging. I knew he had health issues lately, but it was still a shock and grievously saddened me to learn of his passing. We have lost a tremendous brother in arms and classmate. As always, he will remain in our prayers and thoughts until we join him in the kingdom. Be thou at peace, good and faithful servant!


To Bill's family - please accept my deepest condolences at the loss of Bill.  I didn't know him at West Point but still feel the sting of loss of another outstanding member of the Log Grey Line. Dana Bondy, Richmond, VA, USMA Classmate 1974.

In 1974 when we were seniors at West Point, Bill and I participated in the annual "Goat vs Engineers" football game which pitted the top half of the class (Engineers) vs the bottom half of the class (Goats). Bill and I were both tight ends -me on the left and Bill on the right side and we came away victorious that day with a 19-0 thrashing of the Engineers. We also played other exhibition games and I relished those practices and games out on the "friendly fields of strife" with Bill and our other West Point classmates.

We crossed paths at Ft. Benning  at the Infantry School when we were both ready to leave the service as Captains in 1979. Bill had accepted a job with Proctor & Gamble in Athens, Georgia (Production Management)  and I called him since P&G was also offering me a similar job. I ended up joining them in Northern California in Sales Management. It wasnt until approx 2014 when we met again at our 40th West Point reunion at an event at the Freedom Tower in NYC. I told Bill we were joining the Golfing Grads of West Point outings and hoped he would join the team -which he did immediately without question as he loved sports and competing again with his beloved classmates. 

We had more than a few laughs. One of the first events poured rain everyday but we played on anyway. I was a beginning golfer and had problems hanging on to my slippery clubs. Bill loved to tease me with the others -that "Draper keeps throwing his clubs" in disgust. He had an amazing sense of humor and kept us all on our toes. 

I hope he is playing with our fallen comrades on the links above,

POTC -Pride of the Corps '74
John Draper



Bill was such a special leader and friend in our Golfing Grads of USMA event which we held the last seven years between Opelika, Alabama and St. Augustine, Florida. Below is a link with photos of this memorable occasion which he and we loved so much. Bill organized and ran the hospitality suite on behalf of our Class of '74 for the 200 golfers (from approx 10 different West Point classes). He was a true friend and added so much over the years. We will dearly miss his companionship.  


https://memorable.app/share/1/97b51989ef6e499abf7890680272a506 



Although I only met Bill 10 years ago I feel I have known him a lifetime from all his stories and vignettes that he regaled us with.  He cherished his time at West Point and all the friendships he made in the Army.  I was always impressed how he spoke of Shirley, Dorsey and Jamie and his love and protectiveness towards them.   He was very good about keeping in touch with his extended military and retired family.  He was the original F4 scribe.  He will be missed.
Bridget Minor

My sympathy to Shirley and your children.

To Bill's family: As  you well know, Bill was a wonderful human being, very caring and thoughtful of others. He was also a highly respected classmate and friend, and will be greatly missed.
Frank Libby, 
POTC, 
West Point Class of '74

OBITUARY

William James Spencer

January 11, 1952 – July 14, 2022

Striffler-Hamby Mortuary - Columbus

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