Father William “Bill” Spencer, a senior priest of the Diocese of Saginaw, died on Oct. 5, 2023. He served as a priest for more than 15 years. Father Spencer's full obituary may be found here.

Father Spencer loved celebrating the Mass and was known for his kindness, joy and willingness to serve. 

Father Spencer was born on July 24, 1932 in Philadelphia, Penn. He studied Industrial Management at La Salle University and began his priestly formation at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he graduated with a degree in philosophy. Father Spencer continued his priestly formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, where he graduated with a degree in Theology.  

Father Spencer was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 14, 2007 by Bishop Robert Carlson at St. Denis Church in Lexington, Mich.  

From 2007 until 2017, Father Spencer served at Our Lady of Lake Huron in Harbor Beach and St. Anthony in Helena, which merged to become Holy Name of Mary Parish.  Father Spencer became a senior priest of the Diocese of Saginaw on July 1, 2017.

Funeral and Visitation Details

Visitation will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9 at Nie Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Rd., Ann Arbor with a Rosary at 7 p.m. and again on Tuesday, Oct. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 Ave Maria Dr. in Ann Arbor with the funeral Mass commencing at 10:30 a.m. Bishop Robert Gruss will preside at the Mass.

A luncheon reception will immediately follow the funeral next door to Christ the King. Burial will occur at a later date in Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered to Hope Clinic (518 Harriet St. in Ypsilanti).