Graduated in the Law Department of Ann Arbor in the spring of 1861, enlisted in the 39th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, August 13th, was appointed sergeant, served under Gillmore in South Carolina one year and a half, thence went to Richmond, where he assisted in the siege of that place, was wounded in battle, sent to Philadelphia, and died
in Chestnut Hill hospital, July 4, 1864.
History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan., 1880: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885.. Johnson, Crisfield., Ensign, D. W., & co., Philadelphia
Contributor: Lori (47310379)

The following is transcribed from a letter found in the Grace Carroll McColloch-Johnston Collection. A letter written by his sister, a teacher, Mary Spencer-Johnston, to their parents, Sydney and Aseneth Spencer, 16 years after his death:

"Philadelphia Oct. 19th 1880
My Dear Father and Mother
We have today been to Wallace's grave, and so I must write you a few
lines and tell you about it. We left N. York yesterday on 2pm train and
reached this city about 5 and soon found a place to stop while here, with a widow who lets rooms and takes boarders, a very neat, pleasant and kind person. The ride from N.Y. here is through a delightful country and it being a lovely autumn day it was an extremely pleasant trip.
This morning about ten o'clock we took street car and went to Odd
Fellows cemetery and in a few moments found our grave. The cemetery
is very pretty indeed with a great many handsome marbles and trees
and with an arched entrance of brown stone and iron. I will sketch a
little here to show you where our grave is.
[See pictures attached to this memorial]
This is only the left hand corner of the cemetery as you enter. It spreads
off to the right and back a good ways but we did not go over it. Wallace's
grave is about where I have marked 209 that being his number. 281 in
all. Those little marks just inside the fence as I have sketched it
represent soldiers graves.
On the front buried in tiers of 3 and on the side head stones next the
fence and feet toward the walk, facing the east. A little flag is stuck into
the earth at the head by every grave, placed there by the Grand Army of
the Republic. The walks are lined with trees with beds of flowers
scattered through. A great many of the trees are chestnuts and maples.
The walk skirting the soldier graves are maple and I have indicated the
trees by dots. The marbles at the head are about 18 inches high and are
all alike. I will sketch one.
The names on either side are those buried next to him.
[A. J. Rorey, NJ - Francis McDermott, NY]
I picked a rose just the other side of the walk from his grave which I will send you. The leaves I picked from a little shrub by his stone. I shed a tear there for you Ma and kissed the white stone for us all. Dear boy! he came back to me so distinctly while I was there; his bright sunny face and quick step and cheerful word and I could see him as I saw him the last time in his blue coat as he rode away in the early mist of the morning.
But in the Better Home he waits for us and my prayer is that we may
all be ready to go to him when summoned; but we shall none of us sleep in so honored a grave as his, a martyr to his country. ..."

Records:
W W Spencer
Enlistment Age: 24
Birth Date: abt 1837
Birth Place: Jefferson County, New York
Enlistment Date: 15 Aug 1861
Enlistment Place: Chicago, Illinois
Enlistment Rank: Private
Muster Date: 11 Oct 1861
Muster Place: Michigan
Muster Company: G
Muster Regiment: 39th Infantry
Muster Regiment Type: Infantry
Muster Information: Enlisted
Rank Change Date: 20 Jul 1862
Rank Change Rank: Sergt
Casualty Date: 16 May 1864
Casualty Place: Drewry's Bluff, Virginia
Type of Casualty: Wounded
Muster Out Date: 5 Jul 1864
Muster Out Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Muster Out Information: died wounds
Side of War: Union
Survived War?: No
Injured in Line of Duty?: Yes
Complexion: Dark
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Dark
Height: 5 ft, 10 1/2 inches
Residence Place: Bainbridge, Michigan
Occupation: Student
Title: Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men; Illinois State Archives @ http://www.ilsos.gov/isaveterans/civilmustersrch.jsp

https://civilwar.illinoisgenweb.org/r050/039-g-in.html
SPENCER, W W Private Bainbridge, Mh Oct 11, 1861 Serg't. Died, Philadelphia, July 5, 1864; wounds

Wm M Spencer
Death Date: 5 Jul 1864
Death Place: Mower G H Philadelphia
Enlistment State: Illinois
Rank: Private
Company: G
Regiment: 39 Ill Inf
Box Number: 8
Inflamation of brain

Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985
William W Spencer
Event Type: Burial
Death Date: 5 Jul 1864
Burial Date: 6 Jul 1864
Burial Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Organization Name: Odd Fellows Cemetery
Age 29yrs

William W Spencer
Birth Date: abt 1835
Death Date: 5 Jul 1864
Death Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Age at Death: 29
Burial Date: 6 Jul 1864
Burial Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Race: White
Occupation: Farmer
Street Address: Mower USA Gen Hospital, 22nd ward
Residence: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: Odd Fellows Cemetery
Marital status: Single
FHL Film Number: 1986473

1860 Census
William W Spencer
Age: 22
Birth Year: abt 1838
Gender: Male
Birth Place: New York
Home in 1860: Bainbridge, Berrien, Michigan
Post Office: Millburg
Dwelling Number: 334
Family Number: 318
Occupation: Student Of Law
Attended School: Yes
Household Members:
Sydney Spencer 58
Acena Spencer 58
William W Spencer 22
Mary A Spencer 19

1850 Census
Wallis Spencer
Gender: Male
Age: 13
Birth Year: abt 1837
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1850: Division 10, Berrien, Michigan, USA
Attended School: Y
Line Number: 6
Dwelling Number: 1978
Family Number: 2007
Household Members:
Sidney Spencer 49
Acenith Spencer 48
Romela Spencer 16
Wallis Spencer 13
Mary Spencer 11
Charles Spencer 20

Contributer: BDudley4