Woodward, Okla. — Shorty Spencer, 87 year old Woodward resident, died Friday, July 20, 2012 in the Vici Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2012 in the First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Charlie Graves officiating. Interment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.
Lloyd Wayne Spencer was born November 21, 1924 in Waynoka, Oklahoma to Carl Henry and Iona (Dexter) Spencer. He attended the Liberty Hill County School, which was two miles from his home and he either rode his horse or walked to school. Born and raised on a farm, he had plenty of chores, helping to milk 18 cows by hand every morning and night; cutting firewood for the home to keep warm and cutting fence post. After Shorty was out of school he enlisted in the United States Navy as a SeaBee in 1942. Basic training was in Williamsburg, Virginia and while he was in training he always said "What I don’t walk through I crawl through in the swamps." Serving in the European war, there he earned a Purple Heart. He was in the invasion of France on Omaha Beach, sent in on the second wave. He returned home for Christmas and then he was sent to the Pacific Theater of War including the Philippine Islands, making two invasions out of there. Shorty was honorably discharged on June 6, 1946 and he came back to Waynoka where he went to work for the Santa Fe Railroad.
Shorty was united in marriage to Billie Ruth Hayes in June of 1947. While living in Waynoka they had three children, Sharon Kay,Lloyd Jr and Ricky. They left Waynoka and moved to Denver, Colorado; where his parents had previously moved. While there they had three more children, Jimmy Lee, Debbie Jean and Karan Sue. Shorty worked in Jefferson County, Colorado for the Highway department from 1961-1987. After retiring from the Highway department he and Billie moved to Woodward. Shorty worked part time for Irwin Auto Company for 15 years, retiring in 2009.
In 1948, he joined the American Legions in Waynoka. He joined the D.A.V. and V.F.W. in 1951 in Colorado. After moving to Woodward Shorty transferred all of his memberships to the Woodward Post. He has been a member of these organizations for over 64 years.
Shorty was a member of the Christian Church and later transferred his membership to the First United Methodist Church in 2007. He was a friendly person and always had a smile and a good word for everyone he met. He always introduced himself as Lloyd Spencer but everyone calls me Shorty. He enjoyed cards, fishing, camping, eating, and he loved making people laugh.
In 2006, he met Bendena Wirz. She had lost her husband about the same time Billie passed away. Shorty and Bendena became best friends and companions until his death.
Shorty had a job to make people laugh, a cheery smile and a shake of his hand and "call me Shorty."
He was short in stature but tall in life and he never meet anyone he didn’t like.
Survivors include all his children, Sharon Jones and husband James of Denver, Colorado, Lloyd Wayne Spencer Jr. and wife Margie of Dallas, Texas, Ricky Spencer and wife Heather, Jimmy Lee Spencer all of Denver, Colorado, Debbie Whittington husband Jim, Karan West and husband Doug all of Atlanta, Georgia; three brothers, Hershal Spencer and wife Arlene, Virgil Spencer and wife Janelle, Harlan Spencer and wife LouAnn; ten grandchildren, Cheryl, Kristy, Jeff, Ian, Leah, Tarrah, James, Donna, Jessica, and Chelsea; eleven great-grandchildren, Brittany, Stephanie, Joshua, Katie, Kyle, Sarah, J.D. Jake, Levi, Scarlett and Sidney; three great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Billie, brother, Leonard Spencer, sister Geraldine, grandson Carl Jones, son Billie Bob Spencer and daughter Ruth Ann
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church with the funeral home accepting these memorials..
Remembrances may be shared online at www.billingsfuneralhomewoodward.com
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