James R. Spencer, SMSgt, USAF, retired, age 94, of O'Fallon, Ill., born March 7, 1928 in Bexar, Ala., the oldest of eight children, passed away August 19, 2022 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Jim grew up in Alabama, and enlisted in the Army Air Forces as a young man. When the Air Force was created in 1947, he chose to continue his military service with the Air Force, serving a total of 22 years.  As an electronics and radio operator, he participated in the 1948-49 Berlin Airlift and served during the Korean Conflict. Following retirement from the military, he worked as a Sales Engineer at General Electric in St. Louis. Jim was proud that he came from the cottonfields of Alabama, but yet travelled the world. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and always put his family first. He met his future wife at a picnic in St. Louis, and married Vernell Clara Heins on April 7, 1951.

He was preceded in death by his parents James Austin and Willie Bea, nee Hadley, Spencer.

Surviving are his wife Vernell Spencer; son Gary (Kendrea) Spencer of Amelia Island, Fla.; daughter Sherry (Bruce) Enskat of Citrus Springs, Fla., grandchildren Timothy Enskat, Nicholas (Jennifer) Spencer, Aaron (Emily) Enskat, and Cody Spencer;  two great-grandchildren Joshua Spencer and Clara Enskat.

Memorial donations may be made to O'Fallon United Church of Christ or donor's charity of choice, and will be accepted at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com .

The family will host a private service on Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at the funeral home.  Burial with military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.