Virgil B. Spence, Sr.

Virgil B. Spence, Sr., passed away in his home in Orange, TX on October 15, 2009.

Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, 2009, at Hugh Wilson Cemetery in Tanglewood, Texas.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange and also will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Sunday, at Heartfield-Ritter Funeral Home in Hearne, Texas.

Virgil was born October 3, 1929, in Somerville, TX, to Henry and Elsie Cherry Spence. He attended various schools, including the Blackjack community, and graduated from Rockdale High School in 1947. He went to Hearne and began working at the ice plant. In 1950, he began working for GATX in Hearne and stayed with that company for 31 years and was briefly the superintendent of the Hearne shop. After retirement, he began breeding and raising quarter horses while living in Orange, TX. He also worked for Norstock Steel and the City of Pinehurst and was also a member of the Orange County Sheriff's Posse.

Preceding him in death were his parents, a half-brother, two sisters, and a son, Virgil Bryant Spence, Jr. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Mike Mathis of Belton, TX, and daughter-in-law, Catherine Spence of Magnolia, TX, 2 grandsons, Michael B. Mathis of Tulsa, OK and Trey Spence of Bryan, TX, and 3 granddaughters, Angela Mathis of Tyler, TX, Candace Spence of San Angelo, TX, and Becca Spence of Magnolia, TX. He is also survived by two sisters, Miriam Phillips of Wichita Falls, and Lois Mullins of Austin as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be lovingly remembered by friends Glen and Joyce McCormick, Jesse Bonin, Russell Bottley, Dorothy Harrison, and many others. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Hearne and the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge of Hearne.

Memorials made be made to the church, to Hearne High School, from which both of his children graduated, Rockdale High School, or to any library of your choice.