Billingsley agriscience teacher Clayton Spencer was recently honored with a retirement party and a commendation from Gov. Robert Bentley.

Spencer, a native of Leggtown and graduate of West Limestone High School and Auburn University, was hired at Billingsley in August 1972.

He retired after 42 years of teaching.

Spencer is perhaps best known for his work with the school’s Future Farmers of America organization. He helped guide students to 20 FFA district officer positions, nine state positions and one national position.

Billingsley is believed to be the only school in the area that has had a student hold a national FFA officer position. Also, of the six black FFA officers in Alabama, two of them have been from Billingsley.

Spencer said he considers his greatest accomplishment to be “seeing kids succeed.”

“My dad always had a philosophy: If it is to be, it’s up to me,” Spencer said of his belief in working toward goals in life. “We’ve seen kids go places they’ve never been before. Everybody can do something if they put their mind to it.”

Spencer was presented the commendation from the governor by Jimmy Martin, who has been elected to the Alabama House of Representatives District 42 seat; and Clyde Chambliss, who has been elected to the Alabama Senate District 30 seat.

The commendation also mentions some of the other organizations Spencer has served, including: Association for Career and Technical Education, National Association of Agricultural Educators and American Council on Rural Special Education.

Spencer has also served on the Billingsley Water Board from 1974-1986, Billingsley Volunteer Fire Department Chief from 1974-1982and mayor of Billingsley from 1988 to 1992.