Leon Boyce SPENCER Jr.

1924 - 2016

Spencer, Major Leon

Major Leon Boyce SPENCER, Jr., USAF (Ret.), 92, of Prattville, AL, passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at INOVA Loudoun Hospital, in Leesburg, VA. He was a member of the First Baptist Church Montgomery, AL.

Born on September 6, 1924 in Montgomery, AL, he was the son of the late Velma Trombulak and the late Leon Boyce Spencer, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Don Spencer and sister, Joyce Spencer.

Leon enlisted in the Army Air Corps and graduated from Advanced Glider Training at Lubbock, Texas, as a Flight Officer. After surviving an aircraft accident in September 1943, he became an instructor glider pilot at Sedalia, Missouri, and Blytheville, Arkansas. An expert in communication systems, Leon was responsible for modernization of the communications systems in Air Force One, and was Communications Officer for President Eisenhower.

Leon retired from the Air Force in 1964, and began a 24 year career at Motorola, where he retired in 1988, as an executive area manager in telecommunications sales.

After his retirement, Leon became a top historian in the area of WWII Troop Carrier and combat glider history. He enjoyed membership in the National Glider Pilot Association and wrote many published works. Leon devoted much of his time researching and writing technical papers on the Waco CG-4 A combat glider. He also compiled a book, History of the 26th Mobile Reclamation and Repair Squadron.

In 2007, Leon received the Bickett Ellington Memorial Award for outstanding service in the interest of the National World War II Glider Pilots Association, Inc.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Helen; his four children, Steven Spencer, Robert Spencer, Lee Ann Walter and Michael Spencer; daughters-in-laws, Leslie Spencer and Marty Spencer, son-in-law Michael Walter Sr. and his eight grandchildren, Shelley Bleau, Shannon Spencer, Zachary Spencer, Michael Walter Jr., Chelsea Walter, William Spencer Walter, Ann Vivian Spencer and Elisabeth Spencer.

Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to Adams Green Funeral Home.