William Spofford Obituary

Rt. Rev. William B. Spofford
1921 ~ 2013
Former Boise resident and dean of St. Michael's Cathedral, the Rt. Rev. William B. (Bill) Spofford, 4th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon (1969-79) and Assistant Bishop of Washington (DC) (1979-1984), died November 5, 2013, at his home in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 92.
Bishop Spofford was born January 28, 1921, in Brooklyn, NY, and was raised in Middletown, New Jersey. He graduated from Lenox School for Boys in Lenox, MA, from Antioch College, and from the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge. He later studied at the Yale School of Alcohol Studies and earned an MSW from the University of Michigan. He was ordained in 1945, served churches in Boston, Detroit and Weiser, Payette and McCall, Idaho, and was chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital.
In 1969, while at St. Michael's Cathedral, Bill was elected the Bishop of Eastern Oregon, where he spent 10 years before becoming assistant bishop of the Diocese of Washington (DC), from which he retired.
Bishop Spofford's wife of 64 years, the former Pauline (Polly) Fawcett, at one time a teacher at Boise and Capital High Schools, died in 2008. He is survived by his sister, Suzanne Rester; sister-in-law Temple Fawcett; sons Tim, Mark, Andrew, Stephen, and Daniel; 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services are planned for 11:00 AM, December 21, at Trinity Cathedral in Portland and 11:00 AM, January 11, 2014, at Ascension Camp and School in Cove, Oregon. A more complete obituary is available at http://spof.org/bill-obit.html

Published by Idaho Statesman on Nov. 10, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for William Spofford

Not sure what to say?





4 Entries

Bill Spofford was the first adult who spoke to me as an adult. He was our priest in the early '50s in Weiser, and a friend for life. He taught me what it was to "love life" and to be grateful for it. He was and will always be a role model for me. The world is a poorer place for his passing.

Francie Ford

November 15, 2013

Bill and Polly were valued members of our cabin group in Camp Sherman, Oregon, for many years, and are missed. Their cabin, which they called "Agape House", continues to be warmed by their friendly and companionable spirit to this day.

On behalf of everyone here in The Pines, we send our condolences to the Spofford Family and hope you'll all come back to help us remember them in the years ahead.

Don Wilt

November 11, 2013

Please accept my condolences for the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort in the promises from the God of all comfort "you will by no means weep. He will without fail show you favor at the sound of your outcry; as soon as he hears it he will actually answer you." Isaiah 30:19

November 11, 2013

He was a great man who I worked with in Cove Oregon 1972-1973 at the summer camp. He and Polly were a happy couple!

John Mears

November 10, 2013

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in William Spofford's name

Memorial Events
for William Spofford

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support William's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor William Spofford's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more