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Lincoln- William Sparks, 69, of New Holland, passed away at 4:04 P.M. on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Funeral Services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 13 at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln with Bro. Tim Schnautz officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 13 at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, IL with full military rites by Camp Butler Honor Guard.

Memorials may be given to American Cancer Society or The Veterans Hospital, Indianapolis, IN.

Bill was born in Taylorville, Illinois April 8, 1944, the son of Thomas Alfred (Pete) and Dorothy Marie Dugan Sparks. His paternal grandparents were Jesse Edward and Bessie Florence Logan Sparks. His maternal grandparents were John and Bertha Anna Dady Dugan. They preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Owens Sparks of New Holland, His children Candra (Bill Best) Boulb of Lincoln, Jessica Eddings (J J Diesi) of Springfield, Susie Kiel of Madison, IN, Jeremiah (Kim Brainard) Nelson of Cedar Rapids, IA, and David (Kristen) Runyon of Charleston, Grandchildren Zach and Caleb Boulb of Lincoln, Jay, Haleigh and Evan Eddings of Springfield, Chelsea and Haley Caplinger-Kiel, David Lee Gehrke of Madison, IN and Dalton and Noah Runyon of Charleston, Great Grandchildren Alicia Keller and Dayton Bolton.

Bill is also survived by three brothers and four sisters: Donna Hutchison, (the late Dennis Hutchison), Nancy (Gus) Otto, Robert Sparks, and Thomas (Ruth Anne) Sparks, all of Lincoln, Gary (Ken Solem) Sparks of Bloomington, Patricia (Brett Simpson) Sparks of New Holland, and Rita (Howie) Coffey of Petersburg. He is survived by one brother-in-law Robert Bruce (Fran) Owens of Marion, IN, his sisters-in-law Janet (Mike) Buttitta of Bloomington, Patricia Ramsey Sparks of Middletown, and his father-in-law Robert Owens, New Holland.

Bill was preceded in death by one brother, Gerald Sparks, his mother-in-law Oka Owens, and his brother-in law Dennis (Gator) Hutchison, one niece, one great niece and one great-great niece. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

He leaves behind on this journey his beloved dogs Buster and Tela.

Bill was honored to be a veteran of the United States Army and the Vietnam War. He served in Vietnam between 1968 and 1969, as a Sergeant, in the 1st Cavalry Division. He received the Purple Heart and several other medals including the Bronze Star Medal.

Bill retired from Logan Mason Mental Heath in 2003 after 24 years of service. A recovering alcoholic himself, he was proud to have overcome his disease and use his faith in God, life experiences, and training to serve the community and help others overcome the disabling effects of alcohol and drugs.

An avid camper, he enjoyed the outdoors and fishing. He loved spending time with his wife Karen, family and friends at his home away from home at his campground near Petersburg, IL. He enjoyed eating at the Cracker Barrel and Bonanza on Friday nights with his father-in-law and seeing and speaking with friends and family. Bill loved the St. Louis Cardinals and attended his first game on his first anniversary with Karen. Bill will be missed by all family and friends.