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.