Spencer Williams Jr (1893 - 1969)

Born 14 Jul 1893 in Vidalia, Concordia, Louisiana, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Olivia Mae (Menefield) Williams — married 6 Mar 1929 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

Died 13 Dec 1969 at age 76 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Biography

Spencer Williams Jr is Notable.

Spencer Williams Jr is a part of US Black heritage.

Spencer Williams was an American actor and filmmaker. He portrayed Andy on TV's "The Amos 'n' Andy Show" and directed films including the 1941 race film "The Blood of Jesus." Williams was a pioneering African-American film producer and director.

Spencer Williams was born on July 14, 1893 in Vidalia, Concordia, Louisiana, United States to Spencer Williams Sr. and Pauline Lloyd.^[1]

In 1910, Spencer was living in Vidalia, Concordia, Louisiana with his stepfather, Shadick Tatum and his mom, Pauline. ^[2]

As a teenager, Spencer left home to move to New York City where he served as a call boy for Oscar Hammerstein. He also was mentored by the African-American Vaudeville star, Bert Williams. Eventually, Spencer attended the University of Minnesota, but his schooling was interrupted because of World War II.

Spencer served in the Army during World War I from 23 August 1914 through 1 April 1922, rising to the rank of sergeant major. He served first as General Pershing's bugler in Mexico and, after the promotion to sergeant major, he served as an intelligence officer in France. ^[3]

In 1920, Spencer was living in Camp Furlong Army Base in Luna, New Mexico. ^[4]

Spencer arrived in Hollywood in 1923. He began working in film snagging bit parts, but ended up as an immigration officer because of lack of work in film. Eventually, he began getting parts with First National Studios.

On 6 March 1929, he married his first wife, Olivia Jones in Los Angeles, California. Olivia was 24 and Spencer was 32. By the 1940 census, they were divorced. He was married to his second wife, Eula, until he passed away. They are listed as married in the. 1950 census.

In 1930, Spencer was living in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California working as a Story Writer for a film company. ^[5]

In 1940, Spencer was living in Los Angeles and working as an actor in the theatre. ^[6]

In 1950, Spencer was living in Los Angeles. ^[7]

Spencer's most prominent role was as Andy in "Amos 'n Andy" which ran from June 1951 to April 1953. The show used all African-American performers in the key rolls which was rare for this time in history.

Spencer died on December 13, 1969 in Los Angeles at the Sawtelle Veterans Administration Hospital, aged 76 from an issue with his kidneys. He was buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.^{[8] [1]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6268549/spencer-williams: accessed April 2, 2024), memorial page for Spencer Williams Jr. (14 Jul 1893–13 Dec 1969), Find a Grave Memorial ID 6268549, citing Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.
2. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Year: 1910; Census Place: Vidalia, Concordia, Louisiana; Roll: T624_512; Page: 13b; Enumeration District: 0033; FHL microfilm: 1374525.
3. ↑ Ancestry.com. New York, U.S., Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917-1919 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. New York State Abstracts of World War I Military Service, 1917–1919. Adjutant General's Office. Series B0808. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
4. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Year: 1920; Census Place: Camp Furlong, Luna, New Mexico; Roll: T625_1076; Page: 31B; Enumeration District: 72.
5. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Year: 1930; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0326; FHL microfilm: 2339880.
6. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Year: 1940; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Roll: m-t0627-00413; Page: 63A; Enumeration District: 60-491.
7. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1950 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022. National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Roll: 2619; Page: 74; Enumeration District: 66-2155.
8. ↑ Ancestry.com. California, U.S., County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017.

See also:

• Wikipedia contributors. (2024, February 17). Spencer Williams Jr.. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 04:39, March 22, 2024, from Wikipedia:Spencer_Williams_Jr..
• Wikidata: Item Q3966496, en:Wikipedia
• Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
• National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, MO, USA; Applications for Headstones, 1/1/1925 - 6/30/1970; NAID: 596118; Record Group Number: 92; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General.
• National Cemetery Administration. U.S., Veterans' Gravesites, ca.1775-2019 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.
• Ancestry.com. California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Place: Los Angeles; Date: 13 Dec 1969.
• Ancestry.com. California, U.S., County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849-1980 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2017; https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61460/images/47732_B354063-00246?pId=900845468.