MERCER PATTON SPEAR

Mercer Patton Spear, 99, of Panama City, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2008 in his home. He was born on July 30, 1909 in Apalachicola and had been a lifelong resident of the area. After graduating from the University of Florida's law school, he was admitted to the Florida Bar six years before the United States entered World War II. He married Bonita A. Hall (Bonnie) formerly of Kansas City, Missouri in 1946 in Panama City. He served as a state prosecuting attorney, a city attorney for Panama City and had a civil law practice for 37 years before being appointed circuit judge in August 1971. He served in that position for 6 years before retiring. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Panama City, where he taught Sunday School. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bonnie Spear, son, Joe Spear and wife Priscilla, of Cumming, GA, daughter, Julianne Spear Hill, of Decatur, GA, and three grandchildren, Rachel Elizabeth Hill, Katharine Leigh Spear, J.J. Spear and a special friend, Buford Ennis. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Panama City with Rev. Clyde Ellison officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 – 5 p.m. Those desiring, may make memorial donations to Hospice of the Emerald Coast, 2925 Martin Luther King Blvd, Panama City, FL 32405 in memory of Mercer Spear.

Wilson Funeral Home