William Sparks

On May 16, 2023, William Alvie Sparks went to be with his Lord and Savior. William was born on March 27, 1938, to Charley Allen Sparks and Velma Barnett Sparks in Rains County.  He attended school at Dougherty and Miller Grove.

William married Bertha Anne Davis on February 21, 1959, at County Line Baptist Church and spent his life as a farmer and a welder. He served on the Miller Grove school board for many years and was a County Commissioner of Precent 1 in Hopkins County from 1993 through 1996. He co-owned and operated Cumby Feed Store for many years. His retirement years were spent as a furniture builder. He could never be idle and always had a garden. He was called to preach as a young man but refused to surrender until his 80^th birthday when he preached his first sermon at Daugherty Baptist Church. He went on to preach intermittently at the church as needed and encouraged his grandson Jesse to do likewise.

In his younger days, William was an avid deer hunter and fished a lot, passing his love for the outdoors to his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, three children; Nina Sallee and husband Ron of Miller Grove, Stephen Sparks and wife Fran of Miller Grove, and Dathy Elaine Arnett and Husband Ronnie of Shelbyville, MO, grandchildren; Amanda Ballentine of Emory, William Sallee and Wife Ashley of Brashear, SueAnn McDonald and Husband Joe of Abilene, Ray Sparks and wife Jacque of Miller Grove, Dianne Wicks and husband Spencer of Miller Grove, Jamie Kiser of Palmyra, MO, Trey Arnett and Wife Ashley of Shelbyville, MO, Samantha Hall and Husband Christopher of Wasilla, AK, Zackary Arnett and wife Hannah of Philadelphia, MO, MaKayla Poole and husband Aaron of Philadelphia, MO, 29 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren,  2 sisters; Bethena Barrett and Uleta Taylor.

William was preceded in in death by his parents, his brother Donald and grandson Jesse Ballentine.  2 brothers-in-law, Keith Barrett and Jim Taylor.

The services are Saturday, May 20th with visitation at 2:00 P.M with the service following at 3:00 P.M at the Daugherty Baptist Church and a burial will follow at Dougherty Cemetery.