James Robert Spence

Bell Atlantic telephone technician from Washington James Robert Spence, 77, of Washington, died at 1:10 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2003, in Washington Hospital, following a seven-year illness. He was born July 14, 1925, in Washington, a son of J. Clark Sr. and Nelle Ewing Spence. Mr. Spence was a telephone technician for Bell Telephone and Bell Atlantic for 33 years prior to retirement. He was a member of First Christian Church, Sunset Lodge No. 623 F&AM Wachagree Forest No. 149 Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Bell Telephone Pioneers, Bell One Hundred Thousand Mile Club and a life member of Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175 in Washington. Mr. Spence was a 1944 graduate of Trinity High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, American Area and European-African theaters. On July 21, 1950, he married Lola Jane Sage, who survives. Also surviving are a son, J. Robert Spence II of Indianola, Iowa; a daughter, Tammy Richie of Scenery Hill; three brothers, Joseph C. Spence Jr. of Greensburg and Ray E. Spence and Alvin W. Spence, both of Washington; and two grandchildren, Alecia Eakin and Michael Richie. Deceased is a daughter, Mary Ann Spence. SPENCE - Friends of James Robert Spence of Washington, who died Thursday, March 20, 2003, will be received from noon to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 24, with the Rev. Paul Leone officiating. Entombment will be in Washington Cemetery Mausoleum.