William S. Johnson IV, a naval officer whose 30-year career included command posts in the Far East and at the Pentagon died peacefully on June 4, 2026 after battling Parkinson’s disease. He was 84.
Spencer’s three decades of military service began at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1959 and carried him to posts in Europe, Asia, and the United States, where he served as a senior naval planner during the Persian Gulf War and later the Chairman of the Department of Military History and Strategy at the National War College.
There were many stops between commissioning and retirement, including: serving as operations officer on the USS Perry during the Vietnam War; earning two masters degrees at the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy; working as the Executive Officer (XO) on the USS Richard L. Page based in Athens, Greece from 1973 to 1975; taking command as Captain of the USS Bigelow out of Mayport, Florida from 1979 until 1982; commanding seven destroyers in Yokosuka, Japan, as Commodore of DESRON 15 from 1985 to 1987; then, serving both the Navy and the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff as a senior naval planner during the first Gulf War; and capping his military career at the National War College in Washington, DC.
Spencer was very much an internationalist by training and in practice, often focused in one way or another on cooperation with international partners, using diplomatic channels at every opportunity. In the latter part of his career, he put a great amount of energy into mentorship while spearheading education at the National War College and, following retirement, at the Naval War College extension campus at Ft. Meade.
Spencer’s approach to leadership and passion for mentorship inspired his crews, his peers, and rising naval officers throughout his career. Through this dedication, he built a vast network of camaraderie and friendship, including notable students such as Admirals James Stavridis (commander of U.S. Southern Command and European Command) and Gary Roughhead (commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Chief of Naval Operations).
Upon his youngest child’s college graduation, Spencer and his beloved wife and best friend, Andrea, moved to Annapolis, Maryland where he immediately acquired a sail boat and made himself a local, joining community groups, such as: the New Providence Club, the Sailing Club of the Chesapeake, The Davis Pub “Yacht Club,” and the Corinthians. Outside of Maryland, Spencer was a longstanding member of the New York Yacht Club.
He was also elected president of the US Naval Academy Class of 1963 after arriving in Annapolis. As such, Spencer helped organize countless class tailgates for Navy football games; five class reunions; and a $6.4 million class fundraising effort to create The Class of 1963 Center for Academic Excellence where midshipmen can go to receive extra help with school work.
He was an enthusiastic member of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, where Spencer was a regular and vocal participant of the Heretics discussion group, a member of a bi-weekly bible study, a reader, a greeter, a communion minister… you name it.
Partnering with Andrea, Spencer also took on a leadership position at the Annapolis International Club where together they curated speakers from embassies and international organizations from around the world to present to members at a monthly dinner.
But more than his career and his hobbies, Spencer loved his family and friends. He was a supportive husband and father, engaged at every opportunity to encourage his family members’ endeavors and aspirations. He even did play-by-play announcing for his kids’ swim meets for almost two decades … much to the amusement of the swimmers’ parents.
Outside of his love of family, the Navy, and his classmates, there was nothing Spencer enjoyed more than a day of sailing on the Chesapeake, and with any luck, riding fair winds and following seas. That and a good book.
Spencer is survived by Andrea; three children, Spencer, Melissa (Steve), and Matthew (Natasha); two grandchildren, Lauren and Hugh; two siblings, Sarah (Albert) and Charlie (Nancy); and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Spencer D. Johnson and Daisy (Jones) Johnson. A celebration of Spencer’s life will be held on July 13, 2026 at 11:00AM at St. Margaret’s for family, friends, and shipmates to honor his memory.
Those who can’t make it to the service can tune in from St. Margaret’s YouTube Channel.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Virginia Commonwealth University's Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center
Andrea and Spencer Johnson
Co-Treasurers of CORPUS
Andrea Johnson is a wife, mother, grandmother and a married priest, She is a CORPUS member since 2007. A former Director of the Women's Ordination Conference (1996-2000), she serves currently as the bishop for the Eastern Region of Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA.
Spencer Johnson served in the United States Navy for 30 years. A graduate of both the United States Naval Academy and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, his career as a political-military analyst and planner has always been focused on how to deal with the underlying causes of conflict.