Earl Winfield Spencer

Earl Winfield Spencer Jr. was born on September 20, 1888, in Kinsley, Kansas. He was the son of Earl Winfield Spencer Sr., a Chicago-based stockbroker, and Agnes Lucy Hughes of Jersey. Spencer graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1910.

In 1917, Spencer was assigned to San Diego with the task of establishing a naval air station. He became the first commanding officer of Naval Air Station San Diego, which was intended for training purposes and served as a key facility for early naval aviation operations.

Spencer's personal life included five marriages. His first marriage was to Bessie Wallis Warfield on November 8, 1916, in Baltimore. Wallis Warfield was the only child of Teackle Wallis Warfield from a prominent Maryland family. Their marriage ended in divorce in December 1927. Spencer was reportedly described as abusive and an alcoholic during this marriage.

After his divorce from Wallis Warfield, Spencer married Ernest Aldrich Simpson. Their marriage also ended in divorce. Wallis Warfield later married King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, becoming the Duchess of Windsor.

In September 1928, Spencer married Mariam J. Maze, the former wife of Albert Cressey Maze. Mariam was the daughter of George and Katie Anastasia Ham of Portland, Oregon, and was previously married to Arthur William Radford, a Vice Admiral in the US Navy and future Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Spencer and Mariam Maze divorced in 1936. During this period, Spencer was awarded the Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy by Benito Mussolini.

His third marriage was to Norma Reese Johnson on July 4, 1937, in Los Angeles. Norma was the widow of Homer Sturtevant Johnson and the daughter of Carl Reese from Detroit. Spencer and Norma had two stepdaughters, Betty L. Johnson and Kathryne Johnson. Their marriage was reportedly troubled, and they separated in February 1940 before divorcing later that year. Norma accused Spencer of cruelty and habitual intemperance, with reports noting his modest weekly alcohol consumption contrasted with her drinking.

On October 2, 1941, Spencer married Lillian Phillips, daughter of Robert A. and Ella Burgess Phillips. Lillian and Earl Spencer remained married until his death.

Earl Winfield Spencer Jr. died on May 29, 1950, in Coronado, California. He was interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California, alongside his wife Lillian.

In popular culture, Spencer was portrayed by actor Ryan Hayward in the 2011 British film "W.E.," which depicted the relationship between Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII.