William Eugene Sprinkle Sr

March 18, 1937 - March 7, 2019

William "Bill" Sprinkle, Sr., of Bridgeport, AL, was recruited by Jesus to play shortstop for the angels on March 7, 2019. Bill was raised on a tobacco farm by his late mother, Viva Ruth Henderson Sprinkle, in Dandridge, TN with his sister, Selma Rhea (Oren) Russell, and brother, Thomas (Doris) Sprinkle. He was a caring and mindful big brother, and a courteous and respectful son. The help Bill contributed to his family's farm is where he learned the true value of hard work, carrying his unfailing work ethic throughout his life and applying it to his faith, his love for his family and his 32-year career with TVA. Bill met his wife, Judy, when he came to Bridgeport to work at Widows Creek Fossil Plant, and without a doubt, they were a "team" for their almost 59 years of marriage. He was her dance partner, and he loved her fried chicken. They worked well together in raising their two children Nisey (Darrel) Johnson and William (Mary Kay) Sprinkle. The love and commitment Bill and Judy showed for one another everyday is the epitome of what a marriage should be. Bill was a gentle, loving, involved daddy with his children. He taught them the importance of being honest, doing their best and never quitting. Swing-shift allowing it, he made it a point to be at all of their activities. He always gave thoughtful advice, but never offered it unless he was asked. Bill was his daughter's first running buddy and his son's first coach. To his grandkids, Hannah (Kevin) Brown, Gabriel (Jessica) Johnson, Lucas (Stephanie) Johnson and Jeb Johnson, Bill was "Dada." They learned from an early age of his love for sports, especially his devotion to the Atlanta Braves and the Tennessee Vols, which he frequently defended to a Crimson Tide-heavy group during his "loafing" outings to the local Hardee's and BP. No question, however, his favorite sports experiences involved watching his grandkids participate in soccer, baseball, basketball and band, and they attribute much of what they learned athletically to him. Having been a coach in his younger years, Dada would spend hours in the yard or at the park batting, tossing a baseball, and shooting a basketball with them. They will always remember his simple, but important, advice of "Elbow up. Eye on the ball," "Use the backboard with your layup," and "Make your free throws." Dada's favored pointers will be passed on to his great-granddaughter, Eliza, who enjoyed lunches with him at Western Sizzlin, and who will always treasure the special pop-up books he saved for her. Anybody who knew Bill can agree he never met a stranger, easily greeting and striking up a conversation with the nearest individual. He felt everyone had value. He always talked about how lucky he was to be part of his own family, as well as the extra large family he gained when he married Judy. He loved Alvin Cagle as family and as a dear friend. He treasured his TVA buddies who worked hard with him and supported him. He loved all of his friends. To Bill, everyone was his friend. Favorite memories of Bill will frequently be sparked by simple things -- baseball cards, learning to drive, mustard, Hawaiian shaved ice, Books-a-Million, the ticking of Big Ben alarm clocks, Lady Vols basketball, strawberry ice cream, GMC Sierras, and most importantly, love. In lieu of a memorial service, and in his own words, Bill would want us all to "keep moving forward, stay positive, walk straight, think smart, love one another, work hard and pray hard." If you would like to make a donation to honor his life, please do so to the Bridgeport Fire Department Needy Child Fund or the Lena Cagle Library.