William Basil Sparks, Jr.

William Basil Sparks Jr. of Powell Ohio died Sunday morning May 22, 2022 peacefully in his sleep after an amazing 80 years of life filled with adventures and love.

Bill is predeceased by his parents William and Margaret Sparks, brother Robert Sparks, and beloved son Thomas Rolland Sparks. He leaves behind the love of his life and wife of 58 years Marlene Sparks and his children William B. Sparks III and his wife Sukanya, Steven and Jennifer Sparks, David and Jessica Sparks, and Suzanne and Richard McGovern. He was always a playful “paw paw” taking his grandchildren exploring, fishing, and on adventures. His grandchildren Justin Sparks, Taylor Sparks, Sydney Sparks, Elijah Sparks, John Sparks, Abigail McGovern, and Jace McGovern have memories that will forever hold a special place in their hearts. He also leaves behind his sister Kathleen Capper and her husband John and his brother the reverend Richard Sparks C.S.P. along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Bill grew up in Park Ridge Illinois and attended The University of Notre Dame. There he studied economics, made lifelong friends, and met a young nursing student who attended Holy Cross Central. He married Marlene Lyons, started his family, and received a Master’s in Business Administration at Cornell University. He served two years with the army at the Pentagon and then continued to grow his career and family, moving many places across the country including Elizabeth, New Jersey; Dayton, Ohio; Richmond, Indiana; and Sacramento, California.

He has spent the last 23 years in Powell, Ohio where he retired as the president and chief operating officer of Greif Incorporated and was very active in the Catholic Church. He was generous and always helped wherever he saw need. He was an integral member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society as well as many other Catholic charitable organizations in the area. He devoted his life to helping others and made a dramatic impact in the lives of many. 

All are welcome to attend the visitation on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 from 3:00-6:00pm with a Prayer Service starting at 6:00 at Egan-Ryan Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas More Newman Center at 64 West Lane Avenue, Columbus Ohio 43220 on Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 4:00pm with a reception to immediately follow at Wedgewood Golf and Country Club at 9600 Wedgewood Boulevard, Powell, Ohio 43065.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the St. Vincent DePaul Society https://www.svdpcolumbus.org/donate and or to the St. Thomas More Newman Center https://www.buckeyecatholic.com/give.html.

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