Phillip Arthur Spence peacefully transitioned from labor to reward on September 21, 2026, a the age of 72, leaving a legacy rooted in faith, family, education, basketball, and a lifelong commitment to helping young people recognize the greatness within themselves.
Phil was born to the late Arthur Lee Perkins and Maggie Lee Southerland Spence, the youngest of six children. Born and raised on the south side of Raleigh, Phil’s life remained deeply connected to the community that shaped him. Life was not always easy, but those early years shaped the determination, resilience, and work ethic that followed him throughout his life.
Phil often credited his mother with teaching him the value of hard work, and perhaps just as importantly, teaching him to see beyond his present circumstances, a lesson that stayed with him throughout his life and later became something he would pass along to his own children, students, players, and grandchildren.
Phil became a standout at Broughton High School, was named Wake Co. Player of the Year, and earned Converse All-American honors and later inducted into the Broughton High School Sports Hall of Fame. He began his college career at Vincennes University in Indiana. As a freshman at Vincennes, he earned junior college All-American honors before returning home to Raleigh to play for the NC State Wolfpack. That return placed him at the center of one of the most celebrated chapters in college history.
As a sophomore, Phil served as the Wolfpack’s sixth man during the historic 1973-74 season, when NC State finished 30-1, and captured the ACC regular-season championship, ACC Tournament championship, and 1974 NCAA national championship. He played an important role in the legendary 1974 ACC Tournament championship game against Maryland and helped the Wolfpack advance through a postseason run that included ending UCLA’s streak of seven consecutive national championships before defeating Marquette for the national title.
Phil became a starter during his junior and senior seasons, leading NC State in rebounding as a junior. He graduated from NC State in 1976 with a degree in vocational industrial education and was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the sixth round of the NBA Draft.
Yet for all that he accomplished as a player, some of his most meaningful work began after the final whistle.
Phil returned to Broughton High School as a teacher and volunteer assistant basketball coach under the former coach, Ed McLean. He later spent a decade at Cary High School before becoming head basketball coach at East Wake High School. During 10 seasons at East Wake, he led the Warrior to three consecutive state playoff appearances, including the 1991 state 4-A championship game, and four Tri-6 Conference championships. He was named Wake Co. Coach of the Year and Tri-6 Conference Coach of the Year in both 1991 and 1992.
In 2000, Phil became head men’s basketball coach at North Carolina Central University, extending a coaching career that had already touched generations of young people. In 2003, he was named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Men’s basketball Coach of the Year.
Years later, in 2016, Phil and his NC State teammates were inducted collectively into the NC State Athletic Hall of Fame as the 1974 Men’s Basketball Team.
But Phil never measured success by wins, championships, or awards alone. He understood that basketball was about far more than putting a ball through a hoop. The court was a classroom. The game taught discipline, preparation, teamwork, accountability, perseverance, and how to keep going when things did not go your way.
As an educator, Phil carried that same commitment into the classroom. Young people who entered his classroom or stepped onto his court quickly learned that Coach Spence expected them to work, think, be accountable, and believe that more was possible for their lives. He saw potential in young people, sometimes before they could see it in themselves. He challenged them because he believed in them, encouraged them when they struggled, celebrated them when they succeeded, and reminded them that who they became away from the basketball court mattered far more than any score on the board. Wherever life took him, Phil remained a teacher, a coach, a mentor, and a source of encouragement. But the roles closest to his heart were found at home.
Phil was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He family knew the man beyond the accomplishments, championships, classrooms, and basketball courts. They knew the man who loved them, laughed with them, encouraged them, taught them, supported them, and took tremendous pride in watching his family grow.
At the center of Phil’s life was his family. He and his wife, Paula, shared 50 years of marriage, building a life together rooted in love, commitment, faith, and family. Through every season of life, Paula was his partner, and together they raised their family and created a home that remained a source of strength and connection.
Phil was the proud father of two daughters, Porche and Pauletta, whom he loved deeply. He consistently encouraged them to pursue excellence, believe in their abilities, and become the best versions of themselves. His encouragement and high expectations were a constant source of motivation, and both daughters went on to ear doctoral degrees and raise beautiful families.
Phil was also a devoted grandfather. Affectionately know as Grandda and Big Love, he built a special relationship with each of his grandchildren, sharing his wisdom, offering guidance, and making sure they knew how deeply he loved them. He supported Lylah at karate competitions, Emori a volleyball games, and shared his basketball knowledge with Jeremiah, teaching him not only how to play the game, but how to understand and think through it. When he could no longer attend their events in person, he made sure to call and ask how they had done.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Lee Perkins and Maggie Lee Southerland Spence, and his siblings, Brooks Eugene Spence, Charles Spence, Larry Spence, Willis Spence, and Vickie Diane Smith. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Paula H. Spence; his children, Dr. Porche L. Spence (Lamar) and Dr. Pauletta S. Thomson (Jeffrey); grandchildren, Laylah, Emori and Jeremiah; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, former students, players, colleagues, friends, and community members whose lives were better because their paths crossed his.
