Cotton Grower Remembers Bill Spencer
August 4, 2025 
Bill Spencer (Photo: Spencer Family)
The Meister Media Worldwide family is sad to share the news of the passing of William “Bill” Spencer, long-time editor of Cotton Grower and its sister publication Cotton International.
Spencer passed away on June 23 at the age of 85.
A native of Fresno, CA, Spencer moved to Memphis after earning his journalism degree at Fresno State University and spent more than four decades in the cotton editor’s chair, traveling throughout the U.S. cotton industry and to more than 30 countries, leaving a well-respected legacy of published work.
“Bill Spencer was a quiet, unassuming, yet powerful voice in the world cotton industry for decades,” recalls Gary Fitzgerald, Chairman and CEO of Meister Media. “He carried the Cotton International banner to seemingly every corner of the cotton world while also fiercely advocating for and defending the U.S. cotton industry with his consistent editorial voice in Cotton Grower.
“On a personal note, the stories about the many thrills and spills he regaled us with from his travels around the globe were legendary,” he adds. “Bill was a true gentleman and a friend to many, and the cotton industry is all the better for being under his watchful eye. He will be missed.”
Bill May, former President and CEO of the American Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA), remembers Spencer as an industry fixture at many international conferences, including ACSA, International Cotton Association, International Textile Manufacturers Federation, International Cotton Advisory Committee, Bremen Cotton Association, AFCOT (French cotton association), and Cotton Council International Summits.
“Bill, with his trusty camera and journalistic skill, conducted interviews with worldwide leaders discussing industry issues and giving a fair and well-written product for the Cotton International yearly publication,” he says. “His soft-spoken approach in asking the tough questions of leaders was appreciated and trusted by his many readers within the international cotton community.
“The CI yearly magazine was a highlight of the year that everyone looked forward to, primarily to see if their photo made the final printing,” notes May. “If you went into the office of anyone around the globe involved in cotton, you were likely to see a copy of CI there.
“William, as we both referred to each other, was a professional to the core and was a friend to me and to many others worldwide.”
Following his cotton career, Spencer retired to his farm in Hickory Withe, TN. He is survived by his wife, Emily; daughter, Amy Schultz; son-in-law, Kevin Schultz; and his grandson, Carl.
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