William D. Spencer killed during combat operations

The Marine Corps has confirmed Lance Corporal William Spencer, who used to live in Clermont County's Miami Township, was killed in action two days ago.

His family was notified this Thursday night, just hours after his death.

They say he was killed in action on the streets of Fallujah by small arms fire.

His family told 9News that his serving his country was what he lived his life to do.

The 20-year-old was known to his family as "Lil' Bill."

Spencer attended Milford High School his freshman year of school, but more recently called Paris, Tennessee his home.

While in Tennessee, he was a standout athlete and good student, who eventually went into the Marine Reserves as a way to pay for his college at Murray State University in Kentucky.

He leaves behind two brothers and two sisters.

His family told 9News that he was hit in the abdomen around 2 o'clock local time on Thursday, and bled out just three minutes later before help could arrive.

At his family's Middletown home, they gathered around pictures of Spencer, and recalled a man born to serve.

"He knew the risks, but you don't understand how he felt about being a Marine," said his father, David Spencer.

"He told me being a Marine was the greatest thing he had ever done in his life," said his father, "and that he wouldn't change it for anything."

His father continued, "It may not have been a life planned for him, but at that time that was what he needed. He felt he was helping somebody."

From WCPO 9