Espy, a resident of Headland, Alabama, attended the University of Alabama where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. Even in college he had garnered a reputation as an engaging speaker, serving as toastmaster for the 30th anniversary banquet of the chapter, held in 1955. He graduated in 1957.A variant of his last name appears to have been used in college, or it was a typo, inserting an "e" as "Espey." This was the form used in the Signet article and in his member record; he is the same individual.
