DILLWYN, Oct. 20 – The Honorable Robert Bruce Spencer Jr., of Dillwyn, died Saturday, October 17, 2009. He was a retired judge of General District Courts from Buckingham, Cumberland, Appomattox and Mecklenburg counties, retiring in 1995 and continued to substitute in the court system through the years.

A native of Buckingham County, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He was a 1947 graduate of Hampden-Sydney College; a 1951 graduate of Washington & Lee University Law School; and started his law practice in Dillwyn in 1952. He was appointed a part-time judge in 1960 and became a full-time judge in Buckingham, Cumberland and Appomattox counties in 1979. Throughout a long and distinguished career in public service, Judge Spencer had served the people of the Commonwealth with great dedication, integrity and distinction.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann Shepherd Spencer; son, Robert Bruce Spencer III and wife, Ellen Edgar Spencer and numerous special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert B. Spencer Sr. and Fannie Charlton Spencer and two children, Carolyn Ann and William Shepherd Spencer.

Judge Spencer will be missed by all of those whose lives he touched. He participated in various organizations. He was a member of the Virginia Bar Association, member and past Sunday school superintendent of the Whitehall United Methodist Church, member and past Master of the Dillwyn Masonic Lodge No. 315 A.F. & A.M., member and secretary of the Buckingham Volunteer Fire Department, member and past president of the Circuit Bar Association and the Association of District Judges of Virginia, a member of the Commission of Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program and member of Brandermill Country Club where he served as a marshal for many years.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Huguenot Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, and Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Dillwyn, with interment in Dillwyn Town Cemetery with Masonic Rites and Military Honors at the grave.

The family requests contributions be made to the Buckingham County Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Woody Funeral Home, Midlothian, is in charge of arrangements.