By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL/ Staff Writer

William “Bill” Moody Spencer, 83, of Maplesville was found by a friend, safe but stuck, on July 27 around 3 p.m. after missing for two days.

“It was off of Country Road 321 in Lawley,” Dawn Smitherman, Maplesville town clerk, said.

Smitherman said Spencer’s truck was on a hill and had wedged into a washed-out rivet in the dirt road.

Maplesville resident Jerry Kizziah found Spencer while on his four-wheeler. When he confirmed it was his friend “Mr. Spencer,” Kizziah called 911 from a nearby residence.

Spencer was conscious but trapped, his leg pinned between his truck tire and the rivet.

“When he got out of the truck, he fell,” Smitherman said. “For whatever reason, when he fell, he rolled and he landed right there.”

After Maplesville police officers shoveled free Spencer, he was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Smitherman said.

Spencer is recovering from pneumonia and a possibly broken hip joint at UAB.

Surgery to correct the hip injury is currently on hold, Smitherman said.

Spencer has dementia and was reported missing on July 25 by his grandson, who had come home to find Spencer and his truck gone.

No one had seen him since around 10:30 a.m. after his daily breakfast at a local eatery.

Spencer’s family thanks everyone who offered prayer, support and searches.

“The family wanted to be certain that everybody knows how thankful they were,” Smitherman said.