SPENCER, William Ernest (WO Retired) (Bill), 74, Truro, passed away surrounded by song and his loving family on Tuesday, April 14 in Colchester Regional Hospital. Bill was born on June 13, 1934 at Edam, Saskatchewan and was the son of the late Sterling and Kathleen (Nelson) Spencer. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jenny (nee O’Connor); daughters Sandy (Doug) Graves and Patricia (Jim) Yorke; daughter-in-law Duane Spencer-Lowe; grandchildren Christopher, Samantha, Celia, Mark, Nicole, Chrissy, Jim, Amanda, Liam and Michael; brothers Jack, Stewart (Corinne), Ralph and sister Linda (Lorne) Hyde. He was predeceased by his parents; brother Lloyd; sister Lenore; and son Timothy William. Bill served 28 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, serving in Canada, Germany, Korea, Cyprus and with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Headquarters in Belguim. On retirement from the forces, Bill became the Executive Director of the Colchester Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association in Truro, and then was the founding Executive Director of the Cobequid Neighbourhood Work Activity Program (FutureWorx). He was a member of the Truro Kiwanis Club for many years. Bill loved to travel, enjoyed listening to live music, reading, playing chess, spending time with his Coffee Club friends. In recent years, he and Jenny enjoyed spending their summers with their daughter Trish, her family and their many friends at Hidden Hilltop Family Campground where Bill took pride in being known as “Whipper Willy”. Many campers have enjoyed Bill’s hospitality, humour and helpfulness, and he will be missed by all who had the opportunity to meet and spend time with him. Visitation will take place in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro, on Thursday April 16 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass will be celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church on Friday, April 17, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Father Joseph Thomas officiating. Special thanks to the staff of the Emergency Room, the Palliative Care team and the 4th floor of the Colchester Regional Hospital. Their genuine compassion, care and support of the family was much appreciated. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. On-line condolences may be made at www.colchestercommunity.com