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Obituaries

William G. “Bill” Sparks III, age 67, of Topeka, KS passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2012.
He was born November 30, 1944 in Kansas City, MO, the son of William Garnett and Alyce “Joyce” (Gereke) Sparks II. He received his undergraduate degree from Fort Hays State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He served in the United States Navy during Vietnam.
He served as Department Chair at Washburn University until retiring in 2008.
He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Topeka.
On January 7, 1984, he married Beverly J. Haesemeier at Concordia, Missouri. She survives of the home. Other survivors include his son, Eric Peter Sparks of Topeka, KS; his brothers, Mike Sparks of Leawood, KS and Tim Sparks of California; and his sister, Sally Sparks of Belton, MO.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Andy Sparks.
A funeral ceremony will be at 11 a.m., Friday, January 20, 2012, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 SW Gage, Topeka, KS. Interment with Navy military honors will follow at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery. Mr. Sparks will lie in state after 5 p.m. today at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS, where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the William G. Sparks III Memorial Fund, sent in care of CoreFirst Bank, Topeka. To leave a message for the family online, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.
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