| 1928 |
Born April 9, Columbia, S.C., to James Wilson and Addie Jane Lucas Spence.
|
| 1947 |
Graduated from Lexington High School, where he achieved "All-State"
honors in football and played in the Shrine Bowl Game. |
| 1952 |
Awarded A.B. degree in English from the University of South Carolina. |
|
Commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Korean Conflict. [He retired as a Captain in 1988.] |
|
December 22, married Lula Hancock Drake [d. 1978]. |
| 1956 |
Earned Bachelor of Laws degree from the USC School of Law; replaced
with the degree of Juris Doctor in 1970. |
|
Began practicing law as a partner in the firm Callison and
Spence, West Columbia. |
|
Elected as a Democrat to represent Lexington County in the
S.C. House of Representatives. |
| 1962 |
Joined the Republican Party and campaigned for the 2nd District
seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. |
| 1966 |
Elected to the S.C. Senate as a Republican. |
| 1970 |
Elected to serve the 2nd District in the U.S. House of
Representatives. |
| 1978 |
Awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor James B. Edwards. |
| 1987 |
Inducted into the Lexington County High School Athletic Hall of Fame. |
| 1988 |
July 3, married Deborah Ellen Williams of Columbia. |
| 1991 |
Awarded honorary degree from USC. |
| 1995-2000 |
Chairman, House Committee on Armed Services [renamed Committee on National Security, 1995-1998]. |
| 1996 |
Floyd Spence Wing of the Lexington Medical Center Extended Care
Facility dedicated on September 3. |
|
The Congressman Floyd D. Spence United States Army Reserve
Center at Ft. Jackson (Columbia, S.C.) dedicated on November 4. |
| 2000 |
Congressman Spence given Keeper of the Flame award by the
Center for Security Policy. |
| 2001 |
August 16, Congressman Spence died from complications following
the removal of a subdural hematoma while being treated for Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. |
