Monroe joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1961. He bravely completed two tours in Vietnam and two tours in Okinawa, Japan. Monroe also completed additional tours in San Diego, where he was cast in the movie "Tribes", as well as tours in Oceanside Ca, Washington DC, and Etzill, South Carolina. Monroe was awarded numerous awards and citations including Presidential Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and other decorations for his outstanding service. He was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant (E9), the top of the enlisted ranks in 20 years of service, and was fondly called “Top”.
In his tour in Etzill, South Carolina, Monroe met his first wife Ruth Patricia Ann Drayton. Monroe and Ruth were blessed with three children Anthony, Ajani, and Sitembile who passed away from SIDS at the tender age of three months.
After 28 years of faithful service to his country, Monroe retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1990. Following retirement, Monroe moved back to Texas to support his mother and family where he quickly became Warehouse Manager for a packing company. It was in this era of life that Monroe met and fell in love with Michellee (Shellee) Opara and they wed on August 2, 1999. Monroe and Shellee enjoyed travelling the world together before he fell ill.
Monroe leaves to cherish his legacy: his loving wife Michellee, sons Anthony Spiller (Tomitra) and Ajani Spiller (Alicia), daughter Nyoka Johnson, sister Adell Hill and brother Jerry Spiller, 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Second Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 5214 Cavalcade St, Houston, TX 77026, US, on August 22, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life at the same location on August 22, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, and a Repass there on August 22, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
A Committal Service will take place at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038, US, on August 24, 2026, from 10:45 am to 11:15 am.
