William Franklin "Bill" Sperry

William “Bill” Franklin Sperry, 83, was called home to be with the Lord on Dec. 18, 2016. Born to Lucille and Gifford Sperry on Oct. 6, 1933, in Henry County, Missouri, Bill graduated from Leeton High School in 1951 and married his sweetheart, Lois Jean Stone, in 1952. She preceded him in death in 2010, 10 days after their 58th anniversary. He was kind to everyone, always waved to friends and strangers alike, recited the best childhood stories, loved his Royals and Chiefs and never passed an opportunity to share his Christian faith, even during his final days. After proudly serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, Bill's career focused on banking, finance and car sales. Customers at the Bank of Independence would patiently wait to see him in the late 1960s and 70s because they insisted that Mr. Sperry take care of them. He loved selling cars at Dahmer Chevrolet and believed the secret to sales was “He who talks first loses.” A devout Southern Baptist, Bill served as deacon, church treasurer and Sunday School teacher over the years. A long-time member of Sycamore Hills Baptist Church, Bill was a regular tither and faithfully mailed in his check even after he was physically unable to attend services. Since 2010, he contributed regularly to the Bible League, where his donations purchased 746 Bibles that were distributed world-wide. His favorite Bible verse changed frequently. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his brother, Jimmy Sperry. He leaves three daughters: Carol Ochs and husband Bob of Norman, Oklahoma, Trudy Dixon of Independence and Jan S. Astani and husband Faramarz, also of Norman; grandchildren: Rob and Heidi Ochs, Aaron and Teresa Ochs, Sarah Swenson, Leah and Ahmad Polack, Caleb and Whitney Dixon, William Astani and Thomas Astani; and Ochs’ great-grandchildren: Lane, Warner, Keller, Channing, A’Marie, Juaquin and Ariana. Visitation will be 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, with the funeral there at 10:00 a.m. Friday. Burial with full military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m., Friday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. Donations may be made in his name to Bible League International. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)