William Jefferson was the second child born to Millard Melvin Spence and Maude Edith Hyatt, born April 12, 1922 in Kansas1. William was living in Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas with his parents and older brother in 19302. William was working as a machinist while living at 512 Martin in Pittsburg with his parents and brother in 19403.
By 1942, William married Luella Elizabeth Lortz, daughter of Clyde Granville Lortz and Elizabeth Merlaux. The Lortz family lived down the street from the Spence family at 418 Martin in Pittsburg4. William was working as a machinist in 1942, still living in the family home at 512 Martin with his wife Luella, brother Floyd, and sister-in-law M. Nadine5.
Although Millard, Maude, and Floyd are all found multiple times in the California Voter Registrations, as are Luella’s parents, William and Luella are not found once. This has greatly limited the available evidence showing when the couple moved to California. Considering that brother Floyd was living in Los Angeles in 19446, Millard and Maude were living in Los Angeles in 19487, and Luella’s parents were living in Los Angeles in 19448, leaves little doubt that if the move did not happen simultaneously, then surely it was not long after their other family members moved to California that William and Luella joined them.
July 12, 1955 in Downey, Los Angeles County, California, William and Luella welcome their only child, Michael Millard Spence9.
In 1957 William was working as a foreman at Triple A Metal Craft living with Luella and mother Maude at 9235 Songfest in Downey, Los Angeles County, California10. William was working as a supervisor at Triple A Metal Craft in 1959 while still living at the home on Songfest with Luella11. William was working as a supervisor at Akins Aeronautical while still living on Songfest in 196112. Still living at 9235 Songfest in 1963, William was working as a metallurgist at Precision Casting13. In 1965 William was working as a foreman at Allied Aluminum Company, still living on Songfest14. By 1969 the family moved to Whittier, Los Angeles County, California15.
William passed away on July 24, 1995, his last place of residence is listed as Needles, San Bernardino, California16. He is buried at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens in Lake Havasu City, Mohave County, Arizona17.
Luella Elizabeth Lortz Spence passed away November 15, 2001, her last place of residence is listed as Needles, San Bernardino, California18. She is buried with her husband at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens19.
Child
- Michael Millard was born July 12, 1955 in Downey, Los Angeles County, California20. Michael passed away on December 9, 2009 in Oracle, Pinal County, Arizona21. Michael’s obituary can be found on his Find A Grave page.