4. William John Spencer (1894-1965)

William John "Willie" was the son of Thomas R and Margaret J (Smith) Spencer. He was born 19 Feb 1894 in Hyde County, North Carolina. He married Keziah Jane Midyette on 11 Mar 1912 in Hyde County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Joseph Henry and Keziah Jane (Cutrell) Midyette. She was born 6 Sept 1894 in Hyde County.

In 1917, on his draft card Willie claims exemption from the draft because of his dependents, a wife and three children. He has no military experience, and is of medium build and medium height. He had blue eyes and light hair. This document places them in Gum Neck, Tyrrell County, North Carolina. It also says he is a farmer, and works for himself. Even armed with the knowledge of where they were in 1917, I have not been able to find a 1920 census record that I am satisfied with for this family.

1930 census They are in Fairfield township, Hyde County. Willie rents the farm they live on. This record indicates that Willie was 18 when he married 17 year old Kizzie. They can both read and write. Willie is a general farmer, and he works for himself. It also says he is not a veteran of war. They have four children at home. Emily is 15 and the only in the home that's not in school. Next is Buren who is 13, Janie who is 10 and Clinton who is 7 years old.

1940 census they are found in Scuppernong township, Tyrrell County, North Carolina. Willie has a sixth grade education and Kizzie a fourth grade. Along with their two children, Kizzie's 20 year old brother, Charlie E Midgette is living with them. He is marked as married, but there is no wife for him in the home. In 1935 he lived in Rural Hyde County. Willie's family is said to be living in the same home in 1935. He is a farmer, and worked 30 hours the week before and reports he worked for 10 weeks in 1939 and made about $108; he also reports a separate source of income, which may be that of his two children, Janie who was 20 and Clinton just 3 years younger at 17. Neither are students, even though Clinton's education only wen up to sixth grade and Janie seems to have graduated. She is listed as a Seamstress for the NYA Project, and Clinton is listed as a laborer for the CCC. Janie made $30 working 4 weeks in 1939.

Willie died 20 July 1965 in Hyde County of a stroke. Overcome with grief, Kizzie followed on 7 Jan 1966 in Hyde County.

Children to Willie and Kizzie

• Laura Marie
• Emily Inez b 1915 d 2009^
• William Buren b 1917 d 1994
• Janie Elizabeth b 1920 d 2008
• Joseph Clinton b 1923 d 1988