George William Sparks, Jr. March 31, 1942-March 9, 2013

George William “Bill” Sparks Jr. died on March 9, 2013 at his home in Irrigon at the age of 70.

He was born on March 31, 1942 in Alameda, Calif., to George William and Elizabeth Cross Sparks. Bill was raised in Berkely, Calif., graduating from Berkely High School in 1966. He worked at the family business, Auto Radio Headquarters, owned by George Sr., from the time he was a teenager.

When Bill’s father died in 1965, he and his brother, Chip, inherited the business. They operated the business until retiring in 2000. Bill married Katherine Alldridge on May 3, 1980 in Miden, Nev. They moved to Irrigon in 2000 where they have lived since. Bill loved restoring old cars. His favorite was a 1932 Ford Coupe that he took to many Good Guys car shows with his family. He enjoyed time with his family, gardening, and car shows.

He is survived by his wife, Katherine Sparks, Irrigon; sons, George Sparks III and his wife, Amy, of Matthews, N.C., Joel Sparks and his wife, Morgan, Hanford, Calif.; daughter, Amy Harmount, Capitola, Calif.; brother, Joel (Chip) Sparks and his wife, Nicki, Danville, Calif.; grandchildren, Peter and William Sparks, Sydney Harmount, Jack, Sage, Charlotte, and Samuel Sparks; nieces, Allison Hatfield and her husband, Brian, and Ashley Curiel and her husband, Valente.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Joshua Sparks.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 10 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Boardman.

Burial will follow at the Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Irrigon.

Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Pioneer Memorial Hospice or the American Heart Association.

Please sign the condolence book and view the full obituary at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.

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