William E Spence Obituary (2015)

William Bill E. Spence, 83, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, November 12, 2015. He was the loving husband of the late Patricia Pat M. (Shea) Spence who died in 2013. Born in Lowell, he was the son of the late Sidney M. and Hilda (Hammar) Spence. Bill attended the Lowell School System. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Chelmsford. Mr. Spence began his decades long transportation service in the late 1950s with Chelmsford Taxi/Town and Country Taxi, which later expanded into Town and Country Transportation, providing transportation services to many Chelmsford area students for over 50 years. He loved the business and his many dedicated employees who contributed to the success of the company throughout the decades. In the 1980s, Mr. Spence bought the Town and Country Store in West Chelmsford, which he owned and operated with his wife, Pat. The combination allowed many fortunate and especially well-behaved students to receive not only a ride home from school, but on occasion, a treat from the store. In 1965, Mr. Spence was elected Town Constable, a position he continued to win and hold until his death. In addition, Mr. Spence was elected Town Representative in the 1990s, passionately representing the people of Precinct 1. Mr. Spence never missed a Town Meeting and when failing health prevented him from attending in person, he'd watch every meeting faithfully through the local community channel. Mr. Spence enjoyed many hobbies, in particular, his profession as a radio announcer on several New Hampshire and Massachusetts based radio stations (WLLH, WOTW, and WSMN). The Bill Spence Show, aired on Saturday mornings in the 1960s and again in the 1990s. Bill and his wife Pat also enjoyed taking The Bill Spence Show on the road as DJs for many parties and other functions during the 80s and 90s. More notably, Bill and Pat were the dedicated DJs for the annual St. Patricks Day Celebration at the former Town Meeting Restaurant in Chelmsford. Mr. Spence's love of public speaking also led to his post as the announcer for Chelmsford's annual Fourth of July Parade, which he held for almost two decades. Mr. Spence will be remembered by his family, friends and co-workers for his sincere generosity. A savvy business man who operated a country store that still allowed groceries to be bought on tab. Mr. Spence was a first boss to many, many kids in the Chelmsford area, kids who later became firefighters, policemen, politicians, business owners and other professionals. Mr. Spence often took credit for his former employees' successes, owing it to their first job at the the Town and Country Store (and was always sure to remind them so). With the news of Mr. Spence's death, the family received an overwhelming outpour of correspondence from former employees who fondly remembered their first boss, recalling his business and fatherly advice, along with his good humor. Mr. Spence is survived by his daughter Sandra Spence-Goulet and husband, Paul Goulet of Chelmsford; Karen Spence of Boston; Gayle Spence-Tanev of Chelmsford; granddaughter, Milena Lee Tanev of Chelmsford; and son-in-law, Kaloyan Tanev of Belmont. He also leaves a sister Elizabeth (Andrews) McCarthy and her husband Gerald McCarthy of Lowell; a brother-in-law, Edward Shea of Lowell, and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Raymond M. Spence and the late Virginia E. (Spence) Coutu and her husband the late Henri Coutu; the late Richard G. Spence and his wife the late Evangeline Van (Slade-Prendergast) Spence, and a brother-in-law, the late Richard A. Andrews. Arrangements were held privately. Donations may be made in honor of William E. Spence to The Paul Center for Learning and Recreation, Inc., 39 Concord Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824. Interment Location Pine Ridge Cemetery 130 Billerica Road Chelmsford, MA 01824