George W. "Bill" Sparks

George William “Bill” Sparks III, passed away Tuesday, November 6, 2018. He was born July 20, 1937 in Woodland Hospital, Moberly, Missouri to George W. “June”, Jr. and Gladys (Edwards) Sparks. 

Mr. Sparks attended Moberly High School, Kentucky Military Institute of Lyndon, Kentucky and Wentworth Military Academy of Lexington, Missouri.  He also attended College at Central Methodist College of Fayette, Missouri, McMurry University of Abilene, Texas and Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman State University; Kirksville, MO. Bill was in a very special group of friends who were members of the Moberly High School class of 1955, who called themselves “the Geezers”.

While in the real estate business, known as The Sparks Co. his office was originally located at 207 N. Clark St. and later moved to 213 West Reed St. and later ended his career as a real estate appraiser, back to 207 N. Clark St. While in the real estate business he was involved in the Development of Parkwood Estates, Circle Drive Addition, and Urbandale West Addition. He was also a major investor in buildings in downtown Moberly. Later he merged his real estate business with Jerry Halterman and Judy Moore into Coldwell Banker Halterman, Sparks & Moore. a real estate brokerage franchise agency.

When he sold his interest in Coldwell Banker Halterman, Sparks & Moore, he returned to 207 N. Clark St., forming another real estate brokerage company with Darrell Herron known as Sparks & Herron.  On Darrell’s death, Mr. Sparks stayed at 207 N. Clark St. as The Sparks Co. where he was active in the real estate appraisal business. He obtained his State Certified Real Estate Appraisal license in 1990 when licensing became mandatory for Real Estate Appraisers; he was one of the first to obtain his license in the state of Missouri as appraiser number 008.

For several years, Mr. Sparks had in his employment, as trainees for licensing in the appraisal business, allowing the trainees to get their real estate appraisal license through experience credit, included William J. Riffel, J. Kevin Stone, M.J. Stout, Shawn Neer and Jon Dwiggins. 

Bill married Marianna Giovannini, August 18, 1976 in Moberly and she survives of the home. Also surviving are his cousins on the Edwards’ and Sparks’ side including, Carol Jane (Sparks) Dixon of Portland, Oregon and Nancy (Murdock) Robinson of Hannibal, Missouri, brother-in-law Charles R. Giovannini, sister-in-law Mary (Link) Giovannini, nephews, Bob Giovannini, wife Hillary, David Giovannini, niece Beth Poston, husband Bobby, and great niece Katy Poston, great nephews Dillon, and Travis Poston, Andrew, John, and Hunter Giovannini, of Kirksville.  Great-great nieces Claire Poston, Tinley Giovannini and great-great nephew Kemper Giovannini, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, cousins, Joyce, Helen, Dorothy and Dr. Lawrence P. Sparks, DDS all of Moberly. On his mother’s side an Uncle and Aunt, Champ and Marjorie (Edwards) Murdock of Kirksville, MO, and Aunt Nancy L. Edwards of Webster Groves, MO and a cousin Charles David Murdock of Marceline, MO.

Mr. Sparks was a member of the Missouri National Guard, M.P. unit of Moberly.  He did his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri and was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia in a M.P. unit. He later received a honorable discharge and returned to Moberly, MO. where he joined his father in the general real estate and insurance business, established by his Grandfather in 1893, which was known as George W. Sparks Real Estate Co.  He obtained his Real Estate Broker License in 1959.

Mr. Sparks served as a Honorary Colonel (1965-1973) on the staff of Warren E. Hearnes, when Gov. Hearnes was a two term Governor for the state of Missouri.

Mr. Sparks has served three times as President of the Moberly Board of Realtors (MBR), he also served as the Chairman of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Committee, starting the MLS Service for the MBR, The Downtown Association member of its economic restructuring committee and the Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce.  He also was a member of the Moberly Rotary Club, serving as a member of their Rotary Club Board of Directors and was proud to be a Paul Harris Fellow of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Memorial Contributions to Main Street Moberly or St. Pius X School would be greatly appreciated.

Services honoring and celebrating Bill’s life were held at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel. Committal prayers and burial followed in the Oakland Cemetery.