William Spencer Johnson, a native of Hardaway, AL and a resident of Fairhope, AL, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023, at the age of 80.
Spencer was a graduate of Tuskegee High School and Auburn University. He served in the Alabama Army National Guard. He was a beef and dairy cattle farmer and owned and ran the Church Mouse and Fairhope Fly Shop in Fairhope for 24 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, tying flies, turning wood and painting.
Spencer is preceded in death by his parents, David Glenn and Vaunita Johnson, and his brother, David Glenn Johnson, Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann Johnson; two children, Jennifer (Greg) Barkley of Holly Springs, MS, and Inge (Holly) Johnson of Fairhope, AL; grandchildren, Bailey Antoinette Blaker, Taylor Virginia Blaker, Ryan Tanner Johnson and Madison Reese Johnson; and siblings, Jeanne Yancey, Marguerite Wiegand, Mildred Cohen, Wylie Johnson and Pete Johnson.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at St. James Episcopal Church, 860 N. Section Street in Fairhope, AL, at 2:00 PM. Interment will take place in St. James Memorial Garden.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or St. James Episcopal Church, 860 N. Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532 or online at https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=99886.
Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
He was a good friend who encouraged my interest in fly fishing and fly tying. He is missed.
One of my favorite people, he taught me everything I know about fly fishing and was the best possible mentor I could’ve had. I only wish I had spent more time with him, he was a good man and will forever be missed
I met Spencer many years ago and would drop in to the shop whenever I was in town. I was just starting my fly guiding business back then and he was the one that turned me on to the Hardy gear. I recently retired and moved to the area and one of the first things I did was visit the fly shop. We had some great conversations about fly fishing over the years and I was glad I was able to give him that Hardy shirt a few months ago. Going to miss those visits.
Spencer – a mentor & a friend. I will greatly miss his sense of humor and infectious grin.