Royce Sparks

Royce Alan Sparks, age 73, of Gholson, passed away early Monday morning, May 29, 2023 at his residence.

A Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Gholson. Military Graveside Rites will follow at Gholson Cemetery, conducted by West Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West.

Royce was born March 2, 1950 in Waco, the son of Jesse "JW" and Dorothy (Lehman) Sparks. He was a 1968 graduate of West High School. On January 3, 1985 he was united in marriage to Anna Sais in West. Royce proudly served his country with the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He was acknowledged as the oldest living member and served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Director over the food pantry, and volunteered with VBS at the First Baptist Church of Gholson. He worked for the United States Government for over 30 years before retiring from the U.S. Postal Service in 2001. Royce enjoyed fishing, coaching baseball, traveling, cooking, shooting guns, and playing with the Dollar/Dime domino club. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Royce is preceded in death by his parents; a son, JR Silva; and a brother, Jerry Sparks.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 38 years, Anna Sparks of Gholson; a son, Scott Sparks and wife Cindy and their children, Jake Sparks and wife Kelsey, Jaidn Sparks, Bryan Cole Anderson, and Caroline Willenborg; a son, Chris Silva and wife Amy and their children, Layla Stephens and Pete Silva; a daughter, Nituna Diaz and husband Chris and their children, Joseph Paris and wife Candace, Jay Perez and wife Evelyn, Diana Perez, Tony Garcia, Christopher Diaz, Julio Diaz, Angelina Valenzuela and husband Matt, and Justice Diaz; great-grandchildren, Jayden, Elijah, Jesse, Jacob, Abel, Alaia, Joangel, Kaz, Ja'Leah, Cecilia, Victoria, King, Matthew, Amia, Liliana, Nathaniel, and Trey; brother, Jack Sparks and wife Sherry; sister, Ronda Sparks and Joe Ash; a sister-in-law, Carol Sparks; a brother-in-law, Michael Sais and wife Diane; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Active pallbearers are Ricky Sparks, Ronnie Sparks, Lucas Sparks, Joseph Paris, Pete Silva, Jay Perez, Poncho Vallejo, and Raul Pesina. Honorary pallbearers are Jake Sparks, Jaidn Sparks, Jim Delebak, Curtis Sisson, and Ray Mercado.

The family would like to thank Interim Hospice, Steve Vaughn, and Rosie and Poncho Vallejo for their love and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gholson.