Raymond L. Spencer Jr.

Raymond Spencer went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Nov. 19, 2022. He was born to Raymond L. Spencer, Sr. and Dorothy (Breier) March 9, 1931. In 1947 he met the love of his life, Marilyn Best. They celebrated 58 years of marriage when she passed January 5, 2009. His family was everything to him. He loved his family with all his heart. He attended any event he could for his kids, grand kids and even great-grand kids. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his family. He was an amazing father, grandfather & great grandfather and we will all miss him very much.

Ray attended Garfield grade school and Waite High School graduating in 1949. He said many times that no one loved Waite High School any more than he, maybe as much, but never more. Ray considered Waite as his second family. Being raised in the shadow of Waite, his entire life was influenced by the school. Sports were a major interest to Ray. He found his identity in athletics and spent much of his childhood time at the Boys Club of Toledo.

At Waite High, while standing only 5'6” and weighing 120 pounds, he won the following awards:

1948 Basketball, All Sectional Tournament, First Team; 1949 Basketball, All City of Toledo, First Team; Basketball, All Sectional Tournament, First Team; Basketball, State of Ohio, Honorable Mention, ninth ranked guard in Ohio; Cross Country, member of District Championship and ran in state meet; Track, 880 relay second in District, ran in Ohio State “Horseshoe” stadium and set school record. Elected to Waite High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984; Elected to Waite High School “Distinguished Alumni” in 2018. Ray had the original idea for the formation of the W.A,I.T.E., Inc. scholarship fund and was treasurer until it dissolved in recent years.

He also attended Bowling Green State University and University of Toledo majoring in accounting. He passed the CPA exam in 1964. His employment included Sentle Trucking Corp. (1950 – 1967); Ernst & Ernst CPA's (1967-1970); Self employed CPA (1970-1989); Bock, Korsnack and Hinds CPA 's (1990-1993). He retired in 1993.

In his retirement he played senior volleyball from 1963 to 2017. He accepted the Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in the year 1970.

He is survived by his children: Mark (Lori) Spencer, Laura Peitz, grandchildren: Steven Spencer, Christy (Lloyd) Bowser, Eric (Kayla) Peitz, Alexis Peitz, and Brooke Spencer, great grandchildren: Devin, Mason, Ava. Madilyn, Tristan, Emersyn & Ariella, and daughter in law Claudia Spencer. He was predeceased in death by wife Marilyn Spencer, son Michael Spencer, mother and father, step-father, Stanley Andrews, sisters Ruth Oliver and Carole Owens, brother, Paul Spencer. Infant brother, Wayne Andrews, beloved son-in-law, Michael Peitz and lifelong friends Pete and Pat Carlo.

Contributions may be made to: Waite High School Athletic Boosters, Monclova Road Baptist Church, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Visitation will be held at the Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Avenue, Toledo, Ohio, on Sunday, November 27th, from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Monclova Road Baptist Church, 7819 Monclova Road, Monclova, Ohio, on Monday, November 28th at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.