William R. Spencer Jr.

William R. "Bill" Spencer Jr., died unexpectedly on March 4, 2011 at his home in Hope, Arkansas. He was 61 years old. He is survived by his wife, Pegie Spencer and his loving parents, William R. Spencer Sr. and Joyce D. Spencer, all of Little Rock; and his four children, William R. Spencer III "Spence" of Tampa, Florida, April Spencer Wyatt of Valdese, North Carolina, Austin Spencer of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Taylor Spencer of Little Rock. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Lauren Spencer, Carter Wyatt, Samuel Spencer, Thomas Spencer and Autumn Wyatt. Bill Spencer was born on November 24, 1949 in Little Rock and was a 1967 graduate of Little Rock Central High School. He graduated from Anderson University, Anderson, Indiana in 1972 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Bill worked in law enforcement for most of his life. Initially, he worked as an agent at the Arkansas Crime Information Center from 1972-1976. Then, in 1977, he began his career as a police officer with the Little Rock Police Department, from which he retired in 2000 after 23 years of service. He was perhaps most well known across the city for his leadership of the "Crime Stoppers" program that was featured weekly on KATV, Channel 7 and also in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He also served for a period of time as the Vice President of the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #17. In subsequent years, Bill worked as a child passenger safety officer at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Over the years, Bill served on the boards of many charitable organizations, including the Arkansas Crime Prevention Association, the Arkansas Employees Credit Union, Arkansas Camp Anytown and the Catholic High Booster Club. He served on Presidential Security Details for Presidents Reagan and Clinton and in 1992, he was honored by President George H.W. Bush with a visit to the Oval Office at the White House. Bill will be greatly missed by his family and all of his friends. The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, March 9, from 5-7 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). The funeral service will be Thursday, March 10 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with Bill's son, Chaplain, Capt. William R. Spencer III, U.S. Air Force, officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mr. Spencer's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.