Marshall Grady Spence, Sr.

Marshall Grady "Bones" Spence went to meet the Lord on September 8, 2021 while surrounded by family. He was 89 years old.

Bones was born February 6, 1932 in Walters, OK to William Lee and Audrey Graham Spence. He was the 5th of 7 boys born to his parents.

Bones graduated from Walters High School, Walters, OK in 1950 and immediately joined the US Army. Upon completion of boot camp, he traveled to San Fransisco, CA and boarded the Marine Lynx, which took him to Korea where he fought in the Korean War with the 45th Infantry Division of the US Army. He then returned to Ft. Sill, OK, where he was honorably discharged from the Army at the rank of Sergeant.

In the early 1930's, Bones went to work for the Cotton County Electric Cooperative, in Walters, OK, until 1963. He then began working for Public Service Company of Oklahoma, beginning as a lineman, working his way up through the ranks until retiring in 1994 as Superintendent of Maintenance and Construction for Eastern Oklahoma. He submitted a poem, eloquently requesting permission to retire. Always such a hard working individual, he then began contracting with PSO, building substations and supervising windmill operations in West Texas.

Bones was a very gifted athlete. In high school, he participated in football, basketball and track, winning many awards. He began boxing, and was crowned the Golden Gloves Boxing champion in Lawton, OK. He continued boxing in the Army. After his discharge from the Army, Bones began playing golf. This became one of his favorite past times with his good buddies George Brown, Clyde Grady, Jack Tyree, and Jack and Patricia Willis. He was the Okmulgee Senior Golf champion and also won the American Cancer Society National Golf tournament in 1980. In later years, Bones joined the McAlester Country Club, where he played and competed frequently with his very favorite golf partners; son Travis Spence, grandson Trevor Spence and good friend Phillip Brock. He loved driving "Little Red", his little red beat up pickup to play golf all over the surrounding areas every chance he got.

Bones' church home was the Southside Church of Christ, located in Okmulgee, OK, where he and Eve attended services faithfully. He loved his church, and church family very dearly.

Bones is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Evelyn Spence, of Okmulgee, OK, whom he married on December 9, 1963 in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Children and their families are:

Rhonda Spence of Grand Prarie, Texas. Her children Chris Boles and wife Samantha, Aimee and Natalie, son Patrick Boles and wife, Jamie, son Matthew Boles, daughters Karly Robinson and Maria Boles.

Charles Spence and wife Cynthia of Centralia, IL. His children Chuck and wife Darcy and great-grandson, Sawyer. Daughter Ashley Jordan and husband Ron of Okmulgee, OK and children Zander and Zavier.

Marshall Grady Spence, II and wife Carla of McAlester. Their children Dexter Spence and wife Dasha with Pepper, Baine and Brixx, daughter Lindi Spence, with Chesnee, Harleigh and Wyatt, Son Dalton Spence and partner Addison Hicks, daughter Chandler Spence and son Gunnar Spence

Travis Dale Spence and wife Shannon of McAlester and son Trevor Spence.

Bones was preceded in death by his parents William and Audrey Spence, brothers James Lecil Spence, RL Spence, Willis Troy Spence, Elvis Lee Spence, Teddy Joe Spence and Phillip Wayne Spence.

The viewing and family visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 14 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at Schaudt's Okmulgee Funeral Service & Cremation Care.

Memorial with full military honors will be held at a later date.