William Peter Sparpana, 78, originally from Iron Mountain, Michigan and lately of Gardnerville, Nevada. Died peacefully in his home with his loving wife by his side, early Monday morning, December 19, 2022.
William, “Bill”, was a man of nature. He was most “AT HOME” in the great outdoors, whether it be the deserts, the coasts, or his beloved Sierra Nevada. He began fishing as a youngster, and added hunting as a young adult, in the woods and streams of Michigan’s upper
peninsula. Fishing persisted throughout much of his life, but hunting gave way to hiking and snow shoeing as he loved exploring the wilderness, embracing its beauty and energy while generating stunning photographs. He was intrigued by finding artifacts and imagining the history they revealed. He treasured road trips, often in an RV towing a Jeep with a canoe on top.
His long career, as an IBEW Journeyman industrial inside wireman, took him to Arizona, Alaska, Florida, New York, Hawaii, and California, preferring complex projects like nuclear power plants. With his creativity and mechanical skills, there wasn’t a homeowner challenge he couldn’t build, repair, or improve. Active in community service organizations, Bill contributed his skills as an excellent cook and prize-winning float builder. While making hand
crafted Christmas wreaths, he invented a tool to make the wire winding more efficient and consistent.
As an avid dancer, he moved to the music of the day and his listening tastes ranged from indigenous drum and flute to classical piano.
Bill is survived by his wife Bonnie; his former wife Rhonda; his son William Jr., who has a blended family of five children and five grandchildren; his daughter Dawn Van Hoy, who has two children, one grandchild, and one grandchild on the way; his son Jason; his son
Michael, who has one child; his sister Violet Flatka (Bill); his sister Kathryn Fogle (AL); his brother Bob; his sister Carol Miotke (Hank); his brother Joe (Eileen); numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Willard and Alice, his sister Liz Renwick, and his former partner Debbie Ann Wagner.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring in Iron Mountain, Michigan.
Contributions in his memory may be made to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (Pancan.org) and/or the Lustgarten Foundation (Lustgarten.org).