Bill E. Spence, 91, of Howard City, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, November 1, 2019. Bill was born in Coral, the youngest of Simon and Julia Spence's nine children. Bill was an Army veteran, having served as a medic in Germany during the Korean war. He was a lifetime member of Howard City V.F.W Post #3306, as well as a longtime member of Heritage United Methodist Church. In his career, Bill worked several jobs including time with the Howard City Record, Amble Creamery, and Wolverine Shoe and Glove factory. He retired from the Montcalm County Road Commission after 17 years of service. Bill's true passion was music. Though he never had a lesson in his life, Bill could play piano, organ, guitar, banjo, harmonica and accordion--anything with strings or keys he could play--often times playing multiple instruments at once. He played a large role in organizing and starting the long standing music scene at the Senior Center in Howard City. He especially enjoyed attending music jams. Bill was always willing to lend a hand - whether helping to dig a new septic system, pouring cement, or building a pole barn. He enjoyed working in the yard and "tinkering" in the garage, always busy making something. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charles, Simon, Darwin and Donald; sisters Dorothy Bomgaars and Ruth Delmont, and grandson Kyle Fahner. He is survived by Judi, his wife of 56 years, sisters Mary Jane Mitchell and Betty Baker, daughters Lorie (Rick) Fahner, Michelle Evans, Julie Spence, and son Richard (Nancy) Spence, as well as 7 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

U.S. Army Veteran - Korea