William Roger Spegele

Bill was born in 1941 in New York City to parents of German and Irish descent, John Spegele and Anna Houghton. He was a 1959 graduate of West Hempstead High School, where he ran track and played football. Next, he attended Valley Forge Military Academy and upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army. Bill’s military service was part of the early space race through his involvement in the development of the Redstone rocket while at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

After the Army and back in New York, he married Constance Bachman (“Connie”) in 1966. Two years later they welcomed their first son, Chris. They followed Bill’s father to Florida in 1972 where their second son, Paul, was born two years later. His sons were a source of great joy and pride throughout his life. Professionally, Bill found his calling in car sales and car dealer management. He was a fixture at some of the best-known dealerships in greater Orlando. His community involvement centered around local politics and service on the board of The Grove, a non-profit drug rehabilitation center.

After a long battle with brain tumors, Connie passed away in 1981. Bill used travel to keep the family connected. Whether it was snow skiing at Christmas time or cruises in the summer, they created great memories together. Highlights included a ski trip to Austria and a cruise along Mexico’s pacific coast.

Bill was lucky to find love again, and in 1991 he married Ellen Stubbs. Together they started a new journey in life and continued travelling. Their best excursions involved trips across Italy and many, many cruises. The two also fell in love with Italian culture and food to the point where eventually they would not accept pasta from the store, it had to be home-made. On the cruise front, they earned elite status with Princess Cruise Line.

Dogs were always part of Bill’s family. He seemed to always have one and he loved them all. He was always good for a story about Rusty.

Bill is survived by his wife, Ellen, and his sons and four grandsons: Chris (Debbie), Adam (Racquel), Matthew (Becca Carr) Spegele and Paul (Tammy), David, Hunter Spegele. He will also be missed by Ellen’s family: Tom (Michelle), Coleman (Casey), Jenna, Madison, Catherine Sellards; Judy (Jonathon) Rachel Ritter; Joe (Cindy) Sellards and Matt (Cyn), Evan Sellards, Eric Counihan. In addition to his parents and Connie, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, John.

There will be a celebration of Bill’s life and visitation held on Saturday, January 28 from noon to 2:00pm at the Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Altamonte Springs, followed by the burial at All Faiths Memorial Park at 2:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the American Heart Association.