Ben Spencer

Ben E. (Gene) Spencer, 74, of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life Wednesday, January 12, 2011 in a Waldron, Arkansas hospital. Ben was born February 5, 1936 in Cloud Chief, Oklahoma to the late Bennie Wesley and Nellie Nettie (Thompson) Spencer. He was a professional musician played music with some of the country greats as Janie Frickie, Hank Williams, Jr., Louise Mandrell,, and best friend steel guitar player, Johnny Hogan at the Paramount Theater Country Music Hall in Abilene, Texas. He was a paratrooper in the U. S. Army 101st Airborne, and was retired from Tyson Foods. Ben is survived by his wife Sherry Lynn (Jones) Spencer whom he married September 16, 1962; three daughters, Teresa Ashlock and husband, Kendel of Waldron, Arkansas, Tammy Richmond of Waldron, Arkansas, Laura Lawson of Waldron, Arkansas; one son, Dennis Spencer of Waldron, Arkansas. He is also survived by one sister, Edna Boston of Waldron, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Brandi Wallace, Scott Lawson, Jorden Lawson, Krystin Scantling, Casey Richmond all of Waldron, Arkansas; two great-grandchildren, John and Hunter of Waldron, Arkansas. He was preceded in death in addition to his parents, by his brother, Marion Lee Spencer, sister, Joyce Kay Spencer, and grandson, Justin Ed Spencer. Ben?s funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 15, 2011 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Charles Whedbee, officiating. Interment will follow in the Kirk Cemetery in Cauthron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas. Ben?s pallbearers will be Scott Lawson, Don Brown, Earl Blanton, Bill Brown, Doyle Dickens, and Frankie Kelley. Honorary pallbearers will be Dale Kopf, Kendel Ashlock, Casey Richmond, Dennis Spencer. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2011 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.