February 28, 1928 – August 11, 2023
William F. Spence, a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, colleague, and physician passed away on August 11, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. He was 95 years old.
Dr. Spence was born on February 28, 1928 and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1945, and Boston University in 1949, before moving on to New York Medical College in New York City. It was during his medical residency in 1953 that he met Roseanne O’Brien, and they were married the following year. In 1966, after serving 10 years in the US Navy Medical Service Corps, Dr. Spence joined Group Health Cooperative in Seattle and his family settled on Mercer Island.
Over the course of his medical career, Dr. Spence was active in the American Lung Association and for many years was connected with the University of Washington Medical School. He was also a long-time member of the King County Medical Society, serving as its President in the late 1970s.
Dr. Spence, or Bill as he was known to friends and colleagues, found time to enjoy the many offerings of life in the Pacific Northwest. He took up skiing at the age of 40, and served for years on the Ski Patrol. He had a passion for, and deep knowledge of, classical music and was a long-time season ticket subscriber to the Seattle Symphony and the Seattle Opera. He, along with a close friend and colleague, used to look forward to the Seattle Opera’s productions of Richard Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” performed in its entirety within one week.
Among Bill’s passions was that of the written word, primarily history and classic novels. He also enjoyed book reviews and the daily newspaper. Bill enjoyed sharing stories and always appreciated a good joke. From time-to-time, he would pick out a “How to..” book that often ended with a comical result.
Bill’s journey of faith led to him finding his spiritual home at St. Monica’s Catholic Church on Mercer Island, where he regularly attended Mass and served as a lay reader into his 90s.
Bill and Roseanne always enjoyed traveling, which continued well into their retirement years. In addition to virtually every state in the union, they were fortunate to visit China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Central America and most of Europe.
In 2007, Bill and Roseanne moved to Covenant Shores and enjoyed 13 wonderful years as members of that retirement community. In June of 2020, after 54 years on Mercer Island, they relocated to Boise Idaho to be closer to family members, particularly their great grandchildren.
Bill is survived by his wife of 69 years, Roseanne; his son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Susan Spence of Needham, Massachusetts, granddaughter Emily Spence of Arlington, Massachusetts, and grandson Colin Spence (and his wife Addy O’Donnell) of Boston, Massachusetts; his daughter and son-in-law Kathryn and Mark Schiller of Boise, Idaho, granddaughters Kelli House (and her husband Phil) of Boise, Julie Schiller of New York, NY, Erika Schiller of Boise, and great grandchildren Josephine, Harrison, and Franklin House of Boise.
A funeral Mass and interment will be held on October 7, 2023 at Our Lady of the Rosary in Boise, Idaho.
