William Kirk Sproles

William Kirk “Bill” Sproles Sr. went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the age of 93, following a period of illness and declining health. He was born on December 5, 1932, in Wise, Virginia, where he grew up and attended high school, graduating in 1951. He continued his education at Milligan College in Milligan, Tennessee, where he graduated in 1955.

Bill moved to Abingdon in 1959, where he spent his professional career working in business office management and administration for Johnston Memorial Hospital, Johnston Memorial Clinic, and Highlands Internal Medicine Group, from which he retired. While working at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Bill met and married his wife of over 50 years, Ellen Love Sproles, whom he loved dearly. She was a registered nurse there for 43 years.

During his career, Bill made many lasting friendships with wonderful people that continued throughout his life. He greatly enjoyed his work. After retiring, he worked part-time for Highlands Union Bank as a courier for several years. Bill was a member of Pleasant View Methodist Church in Abingdon.

In his leisure time, Bill was an avid sports fan and also enjoyed automobiles and working on them. He closely followed baseball, NASCAR, and football, with the Green Bay Packers being his favorite professional team. He also enjoyed bowling, participating as both a league member and league secretary, keeping the books for many years.

By far, his greatest enjoyment in sports came from following the teams of the University of Tennessee and his beloved Volunteers. He attended his first game at Neyland Stadium in 1949 and was a season ticket holder for many years, attending countless games with his son, Kirk.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Love Sproles; his father, Earl Craft Sproles; and his mother, Glennie Pence Kirk Sproles.

Bill is survived by his son, Kirk Sproles and his wife, Traci, of Abingdon; his daughter, Susan Sproles of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania; and his daughter, Peggy Cox Barnett of Concord, North Carolina. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Jessica Smythe, Jonathan Barnett, and Raven Childers, along with four great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the entire staff at Oakmont at Gordon Park Assisted Living Facility in Bristol, Virginia, for the care and compassion shown not only to Bill but to the entire family. A special thanks also goes to the staff of MSA Hospice in Abingdon, Virginia. Nurse Jill and Nurse Jennifer were especially helpful and compassionate in caring for Bill.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon with the Rev. Barbara Farmer officiating. 

In lieu of flowers or memorial gifts, the family requests that donations be made in Bill’s honor to either Pleasant View Methodist Church, 18416 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family of William Kirk "Bill" Sproles is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.