Bill J. Sparks' Obituary
SPARKS, BILL J. age 83, passed away on May 6th after a courageous 15 year battle with cancer. He was born in Dallas in 1928 and was preceded in death by his mother, Naoma Chaffin, brother, Thomas Sparks and sister, Jacqueline Olver Miller. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joyce; his two sons, Greg and Gary; grandsons, Matthew, Connor and Saxon as well as nieces and nephews. Bill graduated Adamson High School in Dallas. After high school, he served in the Air National Guard. He started work as a salesman and was quickly promoted to National Sales Manager of United Laboratories of America. He later purchased the company and ran it successfully for many years. He also started a small oil and gas company which developed into a thriving business. Bill was an avid pilot who logged thousands of hours in his private plane over 25 years. Although he spent many hours crisscrossing the country on business trips, Bill loved to pack the plane and take off for exciting family trips to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico and Colorado. An accomplished scuba diver and spear fisherman, Bill served as President of the Dallas Divers Club in the early 1960s. An expert skier, he later became president of the Dallas Ski Club in 1973 – 1974. Bill and Joyce built their dream vacation home in Steamboat Springs Colorado where they enjoyed skiing and hiking with family and friends. Bill loved to compete in ski racing and over the years won several events, most notably the 1998 NASTAR national championship in the 70 to 79 age bracket. He was also competitive in tennis. Later in life Bill became an avid traveler, traversing the US and Canada in his much loved motor home. One of his favorite spots was Inks Lake Park near Austin where he introduced his grandsons to the joys of the outdoors. Bill and Joyce loved to take cruises together and traveled to many exotic locations on the world’s finest cruise ships. Exercise and fitness were very important to Bill. He jogged and walked religiously for over 40 years. He was a great student of health and wellness and provided advice, support and inspiration to others. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 12:30PM, Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Restland Memorial Chapel. The family wishes to thank family, friends and neighbors for their support during his illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of gifts be sent to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030-4009.
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