Willie Herbert Sparks Sr.

Willie Herbert Sparks, Sr., age 64 of Squire, WV died Thursday, January 23, 2014 at his home. He was born November 20, 1949 at Tazewell County, VA and was a son of the late William F. and Mildred P. Sparks. Willie attended Big Creek High School before enlisting in the military. He was a United States Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, serving from 1967 – 1970 and a United States Air Force Veteran having served from 1971 – 1979. During his tour in Vietnam he earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and was an expert rifleman. Willie was a member of the American Legion Post #0331 in Bishop, VA. After serving in the military, Mr. Sparks became a lab assistant and was recognized by the American Medical Journal for his contribution in fabricating a special component used in heart surgery. He was of the Christian faith and enjoyed being outdoors with his special friend and pet, Quilla. He liked hunting, riding four wheelers, and took pride in his gardening skills. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Timothy Sparks. Those left to cherish his memory include two sons, Willie H. Sparks, Jr. and wife, Paula of North Tazewell, VA and Ernest F. Sparks of Squire, WV; two sisters, Lynn McGuire and husband, Gary and Trish Casey and husband, Randy, all of North Tazewell, VA; three brothers, Robert Sparks and wife, Cathy and Ernest Sparks and wife, Susan all of Squire, WV and David Sparks of Miami, FL; two grandchildren, Hunter and Laken Sparks; special friend and cousin, Steve “Stretch” Whitt; special friends, Steve Boothe and Lisa; special dog, Quilla; a host of nieces and nephews, other family members and many friends. Funeral services for Willie Herbert Sparks, Sr. will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 26, 2014 at the Hurst – Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, VA with Pastor Wade Quesenberry officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 27, 2014 at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA, where Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by members of the Barns-Beavers VFW Post #7136 in Tazewell, VA and a detail from the Virginia National Guard. Those wishing to travel in procession with the family to the cemetery are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home after 1:00 p.m. Sunday, January 26, 2014. Hurst – Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, VA is serving the family of Mr. Sparks and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Willie Herbert Sparks Sr.

November 20, 1949 - January 23, 2014