WILLIAM ROBERT SPENCE (BILL)

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WILLIAM ROBERT SPENCE (BILL) September 7, 1930 - November 27, 2011 Bill grew up in the west end of Winnipeg, the child of Scottish immigrants, William Spence and Eileen (Nellie Knox). Bill's roots in west Winnipeg ran deep. He raised his family in St. James and retired to Headingley. Predeceased in 2007 by his wife of 56 years, Jean, he is survived by four children: Deborah Bruneteau (John), Sheila Spence (Patti Jensen), Robin Spence (Paul Johnson) and Bill Spence (Melody), his sister Eileen Holden and his brother Tom Spence (Ruth). Bill was fiercely proud of his grandchildren, Stacie Bruneteau (Collin Bourgouin) and Parker Johnson. Their accomplishments in aviation and athletics were among Bill's favourite conversational topics. Bill was a family man. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles were a significant part of Bill's extended family. From 1955 to 1979 Bill served with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. He began service as a Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer. Loyalty to the regiment remained a constant throughout his life. At the time of his passing Bill was the Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment. Bill was a self-made man. In his early 50s he built a paper recycling company from the ground up with savings earmarked for retirement. He was successful. Hard work and dogged determination were his trademarks. His resolve was applied to all of his activities: restoring military vehicles, learning to play the bagpipes and building his retirement home in his 70s. It was Bill's willpower which brought him back from the brink when his health failed over a year ago. Bill taught by example. He taught us to risk failure and not accept defeat. He lived by his guiding principle, no guts no glory . The funeral will take place on Friday, December 2 at 2:00 p.m., at St. Andrews Anglican Church, 2700 Portage Ave., St. James.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 01, 2011