Sergeant William Spencer

Passed away from injuries sustained in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Feb. 22nd, 2010

Sergeant William Spencer, age 40 from Tacoma, passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2010. Sergeant Spencer sustained a non-combat related injury in Iraq and was evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany where he later passed away.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of Sergeant Spencer. The entire State stands with me in expressing our gratitude for his service and our condolences to his family," said Governor Chris Gregoire.

Sergeant Spencer served with the Washington Army National Guard's 81st Brigade Combat Team in Iraq through August 2009, and opted to stay in Iraq with the Mississippi Army National Guard when the 81st returned home. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force before joining the WAARNG. Sergeant Spencer was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in March 2010.