William D. “Bill” Spence, 85, of Springfield passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2010 in Cox South Hospital.
Born on February 10, 1925 the oldest son of Edgar M. and Gladys Crowder Spence. Bill enjoyed a lifelong love of music. His father taught him to play the saxophone. As a youth he played in the Boy Scout Band.
Bill graduated Central High School in 1941, Kansas University in 1949 with a Bachelors of Music Education Degree and 1954 with a Masters Degree in Music.
During World War II he joined the U.S. Army 103rd Infantry Division, played in the Army Band and while stationed in Innsbruck, Austria was asked to play the Bassoon in the Innsbruck Austria Orchestra.
Bill returned to the United States in 1945 to complete his education and become a Music Educator in the Springfield Public School System. He was chosen to be the first Music Instructor when Parkview High School opened its doors.
Bill played Bassoon in the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. He started Springfield Music Company in 1960 and retired when he sold the store in 1986.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Fay and granddaughter Crystal Lynn.
He is survived by his brother, Fred and wife Norma Spence, of Springfield; their two children, Joe and Jennifer, of Springfield; son, David Spence, of Springfield; daughter, Kathy Garrison, of Edmond, Oklahoma; two grand children, Kristin Garrison, of Edmond and Caleb Garrison and wife Nicole, of Edmond; one great-grandson, Riley Garrison who idealized his “Grandpa Bill”. He is also survived by three step-children, Ronnie Bray, David Bray and Jeanie Collins.
Funeral Services will be 1 p.m., Saturday, October 30th, in Green Lawn North Chapel. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be at 12:30 p.m., in Green Lawn North.
Due to the generous donation of Tissue and Organs, Bill has enabled 50 people to live.