JAMES EDWARD SPENCE, SR., 87, of Fair Play, Maryland, passed away, Friday, September 30, 2016 at his home. Born April 18, 1929, Hagerstown, MD, he was one of eight children growing up of the late George W. and Ora Blanche Spence. He was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Margaret Spence on February 2014 after 56 years of marriage. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. He retired from Mack Trucks Inc. He was a member of Valley Grace Brethren Church. He was involved with the Jail Ministries of Washington County for many years. He was an extremely loving family man and will be sadly missed. He is survived by three daughters, Debra Henson and husband, Todd of Indiana, Tammy Smith and husband, Robert, Jr. and Lori Harris and husband David; one son, James Spence, Jr.; two sisters, Nancy Hennesy and Vivian Carter; nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by his daughter, Sherry Lee. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown. The Rev. Daniel J. Pritchett will officiate. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Military honors provided by the Joint Veterans Council and Marine Corp. League of Hagerstown. The family will receive friends on Tuesday at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m.