William Walter Sparks, aged 30 years on June 1 last, died last night at 7 o'clock at his home in Bartlesville, OK, of influenza, with which he had been suffering only a short time. News of his death first reached here in a telegram which came last night to his father. J. B. Sparks of 717 South Lowman street. The first news of the illness of the deceased reached Mr. and Mrs. Sparks in a letter which arrived Tuesday morning. This letter informed them that their son had been ill with influenza since the preceding Wednesday, but that at the time the letter was written his fever had left him and his condition seemed to be much improved. However, the period of apparent improvement was very brief, for a telegram was received that evening notifying the parents to come at once, as their son was dying. Mrs. Sparks at once hurried to Bartlesville. The deceased is survived by his wife and four children, as follows: Melvina, Clarence, Johnnie and Leroy. He is also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. I. B. Sparks, three sisters, Mrs. Ollie Stillwell of Lewiston, Idaho, Mrs. Bell Streeter of Spokane, Wash., and Mrs. Ruth Harper of Little Rock, Ark., and two brothers, J. H. Sparks of Bartlesville and Albert Roy Sparks, who is in France with the American Expeditionary Forces. No word as to funeral arrangements has been received as yet.
William Walter Sparks was born in Baca county, Colorado, and came to this city with his parents when a small child. At the age of 15 he joined the navy. He was discharged before completing his term of enlistment, being under age. He returned to this city and from here went to Iola, where he secured employment in the smelters, where he had worked before enlisting in the navy. About five years ago he went to Bartlesville, where he had made his home since. The deceased was a member of the M W. A. and I . O. O. F.
--Fort Scott Tribune (Fort Scott, KS) Oct. 24, 1918