Bill Spencer (1936 - 2020)
Bill Spencer mastered the dual disciplines of shooting and skiing on all levels of competition. His diverse accomplishments included:
From 1963-1984, Spencer served in the U.S. Army. He completed two tours of Duty in the Vietnam War as an infantry officer, earning three Bronze Stars (one with valor), three Air Medals (one with valor), and three Army Commendation Medals. He retired from the service as a Lieutenant Colonel.
After hanging up his competition skis, Spencer was shooting coach for the U.S. Olympic Team in 1976, 1980, 1982, and its team leader for biathlon in 1972 and 1984. Bill was also coordinator of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Program from 1997-1984 and U.S. Biathlon Association Coach/Development Coordinator from 1984-1994. He was technical delegate for the International Pentathlon and Biathlon Union (UIMB) during the 1998 Olympic Winter Games and was IBU technical delegate for several World Cups, Winter Olympic Games, and World Championships in Europe and Asia. He served as Deputy Chief of Competition-Biathlon during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
He was inducted into the U.S. Biathlon Association Hall of Fame in 2000, received the IBU Bronze Medal of Honor in 2002, inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, and inducted into the Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame in 2004.
