CROMWELL, Ky. — Wilsie Spencer, 93, of Cromwell, went to his heavenly home Monday, July 1, 2019. He was born in Cromwell Aug. 20, 1925, to Marion and Zeecy Taylor Spencer.
Wilsie attended Cromwell High School and was drafted during his senior year into the United States Navy for service during World War II. He served from 1943 – 1946 on the USS-LST-684, which was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Participated in the capture and occupation of Guam, assaulted and occupation of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He received the American Campaign Medal, Three Asiatic Campaign Medals, World War II Victory Medal and Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp.
Upon returning from the war, he completed the last half of his senior year and graduated in December 1946. He married Beatrice Daugherty Spencer Sept. 14, 1946. Together they purchased the store at Cromwell in 1953. They owned and operated Spencer’s Grocery for 40 years. He was a lifelong member of Green River Southern Missionary Baptist Church in Cromwell.
Wilsie loved fishing, hunting, gardening, delivering groceries and telling stories.
He is preceded in death by his parents Marion and Zeecy Taylor Spencer; his wife, Beatrice Daugherty Spencer; a brother, Wendel Ray “Buddy” Spencer; and a niece, Rise Carol Thompson.
He is survived by his two daughters “the girls,” Shelia Thomas (Mike) and Rebecca “Becky” Herron (Jeff); four grandchildren, Lesley Thomas Hoover, Brandon Thomas (Candace), Kristin Tomas and Seth Herron (Emily); five great-grandchildren, Ethan Hoover (Jessie), Eli Hoover, Lauren Thomas, Emilee Thomas, and William Spencer “Will” Herron; one sister, Dorothy Mae Thompson (Brent); three nieces, Cynthia Wilson (Mike), Susan Spencer, and Karen Spencer McMullen; one nephew, Mark Thompson (Ami). Wilsie is also survived by a few cousins, several great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews.
Wilsie was a very caring and loving man, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Our pain is eased by knowing he is rejoicing in heaven with his wife Beatrice and telling her wonderful stories of what she has missed since her passing in 2011.
Funeral services will be held at the Green River Southern Missionary Baptist Church on Saturday, July 6, at 1 p.m. with Bro. Don Mathis and Bro. Mitch Ash officiating. Burial will be held in the Green River Cemetery where military rights will be presented by the Ohio County AM Vets Honor Guard. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 5, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Chapel and Saturday 9 a.m. until funeral time at 1 p.m. at the Green River Southern Missionary Church.
Please share any photos, memories, condolences or light a candle in memory of Wilsie at www.jonesfuneralchapel.com.