William Raphel SparksJuly 22, 1922 - March 8, 2008William Raphel Sparks, 85, passed away peacefully Saturday at his daughter's home in Reno, Nev. Bill was born to Orville and Sylvia Sparks in Princeton Mo. Bill served in World War ll as a staff sergeant in charge of communications through five major battles on the European front. He then worked many years for a telephone pole manufacturing company in Albany and enjoyed winters in Yuma, Ariz. since retiring.He is survived by his wife, Anne; children Jane Yerkes and husband Roger of Reno, Jack Sparks and wife Janet of Oregon City, and Bill Sparks of Albany; grandchildren Shelly McGahuey of Everett, Wash., Teresa Roeschen of Sparks, Jacole Baily of Oregon City, John Elston of Aloha, and Chris Elston of La Center, Wash.; and great-grandchildren Casey, Brittany, Joshua, Christian, Josie, Trae, Aurora, and Logan. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Sally, Florence, Geneva; and brothers Doyle, Donald, and Darrell, Viewing will be from 1-7 pm Thursday at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home. Interment will be at Willamette Memorial Park in Albany with military honors. The family will miss Bill very much and think of him often; he was greatly loved and will never be forgotten.AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling the arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).