Spencer Frederick Smith

Battle Bulletin: Reveille for the Last Time

Spencer Frederick Smith, 62, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Though his final months were filled with more battles than most will ever face, he met every challenge with the same grit, humor, and stubborn determination that defined his entire life.

Born on Friday, September 13, 1963, Spencer grew into a man who lived boldly and fearlessly. He spent his formative years as an Air Force brat, traveling the world and collecting adventures as effortlessly as other children collected toys. From running through the jungles of Okinawa to racing through the halls of the Air Force Academy, he was always in his element. He was born for adventure, and he lived his entire life that way.

Graduating from Biloxi High School in 1981, he followed in so many of his family members’ footsteps and joined the United States Air Force. During his service, he was stationed at RAF Greenham Common, Great Britain’s only American nuclear base in 1985, an experience that gave him stories he told for decades and pride he carried for life.

After returning home, he spent years behind the wheel of a race car, embracing his need for speed and fueling his passion as a mechanic, avid gearhead, and lifelong car enthusiast. There wasn’t an engine he wouldn’t tinker with, a motor he couldn’t revive, or a mechanical mystery he wasn’t determined to solve.

At age 50, he reinvented himself in true “Spencer fashion,” switching careers to become a crane operator for Tindall Concrete. Through hard work and relentless determination, he worked his way up to engineer, proving that it’s never too late to take on a new challenge, and absolutely never too late to master it.

He was the kind of man who could fix anything with a little 500 glue or duct tape, and if he couldn’t fix it, he’d find a way to make it work anyway. There wasn’t a problem he couldn’t outsmart or a challenge he’d ever back down from.

More than anything, Spencer wanted everyone to remember the adventures, the laughter-filled stories with friends, the unforgettable moments with family, and the countless memories created along the way. He lived a life rich with love, loyalty, mischief, and the kind of humor that could lift even the heaviest day.

Spencer is survived by his wife of 41 wonderful years, Wanda Smith; daughters, Theresa Baldwin (Donald) of Huntsville, AL, Samantha Slay (Marshall Jr.) of Vancleave, and Mary Adams of Vancleave; 5 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Donald II, and Joseph Baldwin, Andrew, and Madelyn Slay; 2 great grandchildren, Matthew Vanhouden and Kylo Drew; brother, Wesley Smith (Catherine); sister, Dorothy Guerra; nieces, Jynette Purser (Keith), Paige Foskey (Dusty), Chasity Ennis; and nephews, Miles Smith and Thomas Edie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Janie Smith; and sister-in-law, Catherine Smith.

A service honoring Spencer’s life will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery on December 5th at 12:30 p.m., with a reception to follow at Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Ocean Springs. In keeping with his wishes, those attending are encouraged to share a story, a laugh, or a memory, because that’s how he wanted to be remembered.

Spencer lived boldly, loved fiercely, and left behind a legacy of grit, humor, and unforgettable stories. His fight is over, his watch is done, and his reveille has sounded for the last time.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of Spencer Frederick Smith.