| Birth Date: Aug. 26, 1853 | Birth Date Nov 15, 1852 | |
| Death Date: Jun 29, 1938 | Death Date: Jan 6, 1927 |
William C. Spence, born Aug. 26, 1853, Bell County, was next to the youngest of 12 children of his family. He was left a widower with one young daughter, Minnie T. Spence. On Jan. 4, 1877, he married Nellie Gertrude Nichols and to this union 11 children were born and Nellie helped him rear Minnie T. Their children were C. J., Sam, Charlie O., Fannie Effie, Alonzo L., Nellie B. Pearl, Richard M. Mary A., Billy and Lillie M.The Spence family left Bell Co. and went to Runnels Co. and from there they came by train to Crosby County. They made their home on the Andy Wooten farm 13 miles northeast of Crosbyton in 1915. Neighbors already settled here were the Bud Wootens, Andy Wootens, P.H. Leatherwoods, S.F. Starretts, Mitt Leatherwoods, E.D. Richardsons, Walter Buckners, Johnnie Parkers, Jim Robertsons, Andy Walkers and the Clauson Hickmans.
W. C. Spence came here at the request of his son, Mack. Mack had tried his hand at irrigated farming in New Mexico, and did not like it. He came into Crosby Co. and rented a farm from Andy Wooten and sent for his parents and one sister, Lillie. When they arrived they were happy to be a part of Pansy and Leatherwood communities. They farmed with teams of horses of mules, cows furnished the milk, hens laid the eggs, hogs were killed for the winter, butter was churned, and the washing was done by hand. The whole family shared the daily chores.
In 1921, Uncle Billy, as he was known by those close to him, purchased his first automobile, a Model T Ford. Driving into Floydada one day, he forgot how to stop the car. He began to holler "WHOA...WHOA...WHOA...", but it did not stop the car. A young man hearing his call jumped upon the running board and stopped the car. In a letter to his son that night he said "That Model T is for sale."
The Spences were Baptist by choice and they were anxious to worship with their neighbors. Uncle Billy walked many times the five miles to Leatherwood school house where the Baptists held services alternately with other denominations in the fall of 1915. Son Mack married Wealthy Starrett and the daughter, Lillie, married Ben Marley so Uncle Billy bought a farm in Floyd Co. and moved there. He was no stranger to work and did his share of hard work and was able even when he had passed 80 years to pull 300 or 400 pounds of bolls in one day.
In their declining years, Uncle Billy and Aunt Nellie moved back to Crosby Co. in the home of a daughter, Lillie, and Ben Marley. The Marleys lived about 11 miles east of Crosbyton on Highway 82. Nellie Gertrude Nichols Spence departed this life Jan. 6, 1927. W.C. continued to enjoy good health several years and made his home alternately with his children. He died June 29, 1938, in the home of his son who at that time lived four miles south of Crosbyton. He died having lived a full and happy life, traveling extensively in his latter days, keeping in touch with his many grandchildren and other family members.
William C. Spence was the son of John Spence and Roscky Ann Jerman Spence who were married in Alabama, Dec. 15, 1836. John was a Methodist minister.
(by Nellie Winegar)Crosby County History 1876-1977
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Crosby County TXGenWeb Project
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