Completed Event: Skiing versus 20K Freestyle (M) on March 8, 2025 , , 1st
Final Score
Skiing
1st
vs 20K Freestyle (M)
Former Utah Skier and Crimson Club Hall of Famer Bill Spencer Passes Away at 84
12/7/2020 1:59 PM | Skiing
Olympian and U.S. Army Lt. Col., Spencer was an All-American at Utah in 1959
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Skiing program and Utah Athletics mourn the loss of former All-American Bill Spencer, who passed away on Thursday, Dec. 3, at the age of 84. Spencer, a 1961 University of Utah graduate, earned All-America honors in 1959 as a Nordic skier and is a member of the Crimson Club Hall of Fame's Class of 2004.
Spencer, who served in the U.S. Army, ascending to the rank of Lt. Colonel, competed in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics as a member of the U.S. Biathlon Team.
A graduate of Salt Lake City's South High School, Spencer earned the Utah ski program's Alf Engen Sportsmanship Trophy in his All-America season of 1959. Spencer served as a member of the Utah National Guard's 19th Special Forces and competed locally and nationally with the Guard Rifle Team.
Combining his marksmanship and skiing skills, he was recruited by the Army in 1963 for the U.S. Biathlon Team stationed at Ft. Richardson, Alaska, leading to his Olympic experience. Spencer also was the U.S. 30km cross-country champion in 1965, U.S. National Biathlon champion and Canadian National Biathlon champion 1966, 1967.
As accomplished and decorated as he was in his athletics pursuits, Spencer earned incredible honor for his military service. Following his competitive years, he served as an Infantry Officer, including two tours to Vietnam, retiring in 1984 as a Lieutenant Colonel. His military honors include three Army Commendation Medals, two Bronze Stars, a Bronze Star with Valor, two Air Medals and an Air Medal with Valor.
Spencer remained active within the competitive skiing community and in his support for the U. throughout his life. He served as the U.S. representative on the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Technical Committee from 1973 to 2002, officiating at numerous World Championships, World University Games, World Cups and Olympic Games. In addition to his 2004 induction into the Crimson Club Hall of Fame, Spencer is a member of the Hall of Fame of U.S. Biathlon (Class of 2000), Utah Sports (Class of 2003) and Intermountain Ski (Class of 2004), and was recognized with the Pioneer of Progress Sportsman Award in 2001 and University of Utah Ski Archives History Maker Award in 2005. Spencer was chosen to escort the Olympic flame from Athens to Atlanta for the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay. He was a long-time Crimson Club member and gave back to the program for 24 years.
Born in Russellville, Ala., on June 23, 1936, Bill is survived by Judy, his wife of 60 years, and their three children and spouses.
Spencer, who served in the U.S. Army, ascending to the rank of Lt. Colonel, competed in the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics as a member of the U.S. Biathlon Team.
A graduate of Salt Lake City's South High School, Spencer earned the Utah ski program's Alf Engen Sportsmanship Trophy in his All-America season of 1959. Spencer served as a member of the Utah National Guard's 19th Special Forces and competed locally and nationally with the Guard Rifle Team.
Combining his marksmanship and skiing skills, he was recruited by the Army in 1963 for the U.S. Biathlon Team stationed at Ft. Richardson, Alaska, leading to his Olympic experience. Spencer also was the U.S. 30km cross-country champion in 1965, U.S. National Biathlon champion and Canadian National Biathlon champion 1966, 1967.
As accomplished and decorated as he was in his athletics pursuits, Spencer earned incredible honor for his military service. Following his competitive years, he served as an Infantry Officer, including two tours to Vietnam, retiring in 1984 as a Lieutenant Colonel. His military honors include three Army Commendation Medals, two Bronze Stars, a Bronze Star with Valor, two Air Medals and an Air Medal with Valor.
Spencer remained active within the competitive skiing community and in his support for the U. throughout his life. He served as the U.S. representative on the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Technical Committee from 1973 to 2002, officiating at numerous World Championships, World University Games, World Cups and Olympic Games. In addition to his 2004 induction into the Crimson Club Hall of Fame, Spencer is a member of the Hall of Fame of U.S. Biathlon (Class of 2000), Utah Sports (Class of 2003) and Intermountain Ski (Class of 2004), and was recognized with the Pioneer of Progress Sportsman Award in 2001 and University of Utah Ski Archives History Maker Award in 2005. Spencer was chosen to escort the Olympic flame from Athens to Atlanta for the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay. He was a long-time Crimson Club member and gave back to the program for 24 years.
Born in Russellville, Ala., on June 23, 1936, Bill is survived by Judy, his wife of 60 years, and their three children and spouses.
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