A little while ago, we posted a call for guest blogs about Gov. Winter in honor of the new biography, William F. Winter and the New Mississippi by Charles C. Bolton. Almost immediately, an email appeared in my box from Dewitt Spencer in Vardaman, MS with this reminiscence of Gov. Winter.
Our great Vardaman friend Earl Gilder went to Jackson in the late 60’s, early 70’s and landed a job at the State Treasurer’s Office. On every occasion he was home, we heard about his boss William Winter, about what a great man he was both personally and professionally. Even though Mr. Winter was from neighboring Grenada County, and, I think, had relatives down around Big Creek in Calhoun, we’d never heard of him. I can’t remember when my wife, Zilla, and I first met Mr. Winter or even if it was Earl who introduced us. From the moment we met, however, we were staunch supporters and friends. What Mr. Winter would think became–and really still is–a standard by which we try to gauge our actions.
Even in those hard old days, Mr. Winter stood out as a “moderate” on issues, especially race. Moderate back then meant flaming liberal, and his stance gave us the courage to speak out too. He influenced a generation of young people for the right values and kept it up with succeeding 
generations. Our two daughters revere Mr. Winter as much as we.
What can you say about such a man? I’ve often thought of writing him and trying to express the thanks in my heart for what he’s done for our state and nation and for us—Zilla, our girls and me– but it never can be enough. What wonderful people he brought into government and public life: Dick Molpus, Ray Mabus and on and on. I’m also thinking now of the local people he influenced in government, politics, and business. What a difference they have made just in good ole Calhoun County!
Well, I can’t begin to sum him up, just in my little corner of Mississippi, but the thought that keeps coming to mind is a paraphrase of the poet’s: “Here is a Man.” It seems so trite and falls so far short of what should be said but “Thank you, Mr. Winter, from Dewitt and Zilla Spencer of Vardaman, and Leah Spencer of Pittsboro, North Carolina, and Morgan Spencer Cutturini of Oxford. Thank you, and we love you.”
Dewitt Spencer
Vardaman, MS
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