Louis N. "Bill" Sparkman Jr.

Louis N. (Bill) Sparkman, Jr., lifelong resident of Dallas passed away on December 24, 2011. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis N. Sparkman, Sr. and Louise Adele Hines Sparkman, his granddaughter Sarah Sparkman and daughter-in-law Sally Hawn Sparkman. Bill grew up and resided his entire life in Dallas. He attended Highland Park High School, and later enrolled at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico graduating in 1946. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Economic Geography in 1951 from Southern Methodist University where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. While at SMU, Bill was on the varsity swim team and was featured in the Dallas Morning News Sports page – 1948 record breaker! Bill Sparkman, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Ace, held the current intramural four length freestyle record of 55.3 seconds. He was also a member of the United States R.O.T.C. Following SMU in 1951-1953 Bill was assigned to the Unites States Air Force Office of Special Investigations as a First Lt. in this intelligence branch of the military. He joined Sparkman, Inc., his family’s business in 1953 becoming President in 1964. In April 1959, L.N. (Bill) Sparkman, Jr. was featured in the Dallas Times Herald entitled “Tomorrows Leaders” which was one of a series on young men whose present leadership in Dallas (1959) marks them as “Tomorrow’s Leaders.” He was sketched by a noted portrait painter, Dmitri Vail. He became a serious collector of National Geographic Magazines after his wife, Patti, presented him with his first National Geographic birthday/year copy leading him to collect the entire collection beginning with the earliest edition – first printing. Bill was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church, Brook Hollow Golf Club, The Idlewild Club, Board Member of Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation, member of the Texas Funeral Directors, past member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Dallas, Dallas Lions Club, recipient of the Service Corporation International, Chairman’s Council Service/Civic Service Award in June 1987 for Distinguished Achievement on behalf of Service Corporation International in political and civic endeavors promoting the funeral industry. (Signed by R.L. Waltrip), Chairman of the Board. He was also a lifelong member of the Salesmanship Club, which he dearly loved. He worked every year at the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament rain or shine always looking forward to another exciting year. Bill was also a lifelong member of the T.Boone Pickens YMCA (formerly known as the Downtown Metropolitan YMCA) and spent hours working out. Bill was kind-hearted and always had something positive to say to everyone he met. He loved flying, scuba diving, filming, hiking and white water rafting. Being a private pilot instrument rated in both single and multi-engine aircraft since the 1940’s, he shared his love of flying with his family and friends. He enjoyed many flight adventures to Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Canada, the Arctic Circle, the Caribbean and Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos and many other destinations building memories and making lifelong friendships. He also was an avid cinema photographer filming his trips which were featured on KERA (Channel 13) along with his many showings at Sparkman/Hillcrest Chapel always providing hot buttered popcorn to his audiences. He was full of enthusiasm, humble and loved life. He believed in giving back 100% to any commitment he made. Bill was extremely proud of his family heritage dating back to 1893 with his great-grandfather, Will R. Sparkman purchasing the business from George W. Loudermilk in 1920. Bill’s father, Louis N. Sparkman, Sr. continued the Sparkman tradition. Bill continued the “Tradition of Excellence” by providing quality service to the Dallas Community throughout his 60 year tenure. He was responsible in spearheading the 1967 merger between Sparkman Funeral Home and Hillcrest Memorial Park resulting in the change of name to Sparkman/Hillcrest. Sparkman/Hillcrest continues to stand as a neighborhood city landmark. He is survived by his wife, Patti Glazer Sparkman, his daughter, Laura Sparkman, and his three sons, David Sparkman, Alan Sparkman and wife, Debbie, Steve Sparkman and wife, Susan of Athens, Texas, four grandchildren, Blair Sparkman and wife, Kira, Adrienne Sparkman Hall and husband, Brandon, Audrey Sparkman and Paul Sparkman, brother Ben H. Sparkman and wife Sally “Cissie” and nephews Howard Sparkman and Ben Sparkman, Jr.. If you choose, in lieu of flowers and in the generous spirit of L.N. (Bill) Sparkman, Jr. memorial contributions can be made to the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, 106 E. 10th Street, Dallas, Texas 75203, Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas 75205, or the charity of your choice. Family will receive friends at Sparkman/Hillcrest, Monday, January 2, 2012 from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Highland Park United Methodist Church, Rev. Bill Smith and Rev. Terry Jones, officiating, with a reception to follow in the Great Hall. Bill will be buried in a private ceremony at Hillcrest Memorial Park.