Bill Sparks

SIKESTON, Mo. -- William Earl "Bill" Sparks, 78, of Sikeston died Sept. 27, 2004, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born on Jan. 13, 1926, in Lutherville, Ark., son of Samuel Harrison and Mary T. Belling Sparks.

He and Jacquelyn C. Cain were married July 21, 1995, in Sikeston. She died May 18, 2003.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the Sikeston VFW and Disabled American Veterans chapters. He was an ironworker for LaSalle Iron Works in St. Louis.

Survivors include a son, Douglas Ray Sparks of Ste. Genevieve, Mo.; a daughter, Delma Paquet of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a stepson, Kevin Ward of Sikeston; a stepdaughter, Jami M. Geske of Matthews, Mo.; two brothers, Boyd "Pete" Sparks of Russellville, Ark., Tommy Sparks of Belleville, Mich.; a sister, Francis Davis of Russellville; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Goodwin officiating.

Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Missouri Military Honor Guard.