Mr William Spencer was born in St Mary, Nottingham, England on 5 October 1867.

He was the son of Thomas Spencer, a draper’s storeman, and the former Jane Walker. He grew up in St Mary, Nottingham with at least five siblings.

In October 1886 Spencer joined the Royal Navy as a humble deck boy, serving an illustrious career until pensioned in December 1906, during which time he became an able seaman. He joined the merchant service, also as an able seaman, serving aboard a host of ships, including Campania.

In April 1912 Spencer was an able seaman aboard Carpathia when that ship rescued the survivors of the Titanic disaster.

Spencer remained at sea and following the outbreak of WWI he rejoined the Royal Navy as an able seaman but his time was brief and he was invalided from service. His whereabouts thereafter remain uncertain.