H.R. No. 900
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The many friends and family members of William Autry
    1-2  "Bill" Sprinkle, Sr., suffered a great loss with the passing of
    1-3  this distinguished gentleman on September 1, 1994, at the age of
    1-4  74; and
    1-5        WHEREAS, A native of Paris, Arkansas, Mr. Sprinkle was born
    1-6  June 21, 1920, and pursued his higher education at Sul Ross State
    1-7  University and the University of Arizona at Tucson before embarking
    1-8  on a lifelong career in journalism; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, In addition to working in all aspects of newspaper
   1-10  production in several towns throughout Texas, this esteemed
   1-11  journalist also worked for the United States military newspaper The
   1-12  Stars and Stripes, which was published in Darmstadt, Germany; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, A resident of Alpine for 25 years, he returned to
   1-14  his alma mater to serve as director of the Sul Ross print shop and
   1-15  as a graphic arts instructor for 14 years; and
   1-16        WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Sprinkle was nourished by a
   1-17  deep and abiding religious faith, and he used his extensive
   1-18  journalism expertise in service to his faith by working with the
   1-19  Spanish Baptist Publishing House in El Paso; he further shared his
   1-20  spiritual life with others as a member and deacon at First Baptist
   1-21  Church, where he counseled and served the members of that
   1-22  congregation for 47 years; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, For more than half a century, he enjoyed a warm and
   1-24  loving relationship with his wife, Metha Musick Sprinkle, whom he
    2-1  wed in 1942; their marriage was blessed with three sons, and in
    2-2  recent years the family grew to include nine cherished
    2-3  grandchildren; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, In serving his family, his church, and his
    2-5  community, this extraordinary gentleman gave generously to those
    2-6  around him and left them with a legacy of love and compassion by
    2-7  which to remember him; although his presence is gone from us now,
    2-8  his unique spirit will live on in the hearts of the many people
    2-9  whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
   2-10        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-11  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of William Autry "Bill"
   2-12  Sprinkle, Sr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
   2-13  family:  to his wife, Metha Sprinkle; to his sons, William A.
   2-14  Sprinkle, Jr., Charles Thomas Sprinkle, and James Edwin Sprinkle;
   2-15  to his nine grandchildren; to his 16 nieces and nephews; and to all
   2-16  the many relatives and friends of this beloved individual; and, be
   2-17  it further
   2-18        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-19  prepared for the members of his family, and that when the Texas
   2-20  House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
   2-21  William Autry "Bill" Sprinkle, Sr.