OTTAWA – William “Bill” G. Spicer, age 95, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, October 4, 2018 at Ottawa Pavilion.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Noon on Monday, October 8, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church of Ottawa with Pastor Cheri Stewart officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. till service time Monday at the church. Private interment will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Bill was born March 5, 1923 in Ottawa, a son of Glenn and Elisabeth (Bourns) Spicer. He married Nancy J. Wallace on June 19, 1948. She preceded him in death June 14, 1968. He later married Patricia (Nier) Weed March 19, 1971, merging the two families in Ottawa. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Patricia, of Ottawa; his children, Janet (Dan) Way of Plano, TX, Robert Spicer of Lisle, IL, Laurie (Larry) Whitmore of Hanna City, IL, Jack (Becky) Spicer of Atlanta, GA, Laura Weed of Dallas, TX, and Scott (Lori) Weed of Ottawa; 13 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Martha Spicer Olson.
Bill graduated from Marseilles High School. He studied two years at LPO Junior College, later attended the University of Illinois in Urbana, Wharton College, and Harvard Graduate School. He later attended Wooster College, graduating in 1947.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy, was commissioned as an Ensign in 1943, and served two years of duty in Pearl Harbor during World War II.
Bill worked at Union National Bank in Marseilles until 1953. In 1949 he started with Northwest Mutual Life Insurance Company, where he earned many honorary awards, then retired in 2012 after 63 years.
Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Ottawa, was a founding director of the Ivy Racket Club of Ottawa, was a member of the Ottawa Community Concert Association Board, had served on the board of the Community Hospital of Ottawa, and served on the board of First of America Bank. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, where he served as an ambassador. He thoroughly enjoyed volunteering his time with various organizations. He enjoyed playing tennis, gardening, and was known as an excellent bridge player.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Ottawa or Friendship Village.
Bill has been laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.