William "Bill" Sperling

1931 - 2015

William "Bill" Sperling

William "Bill" Sperling, 83, passed away May 15, 2015, in Seattle, WA. He was born December 2, 1931 to Harry and Mamie Sperling in Juneau, Alaska. Following high school graduation he attended the University of Oregon majoring in fine arts, but before completion he was drafted into the Army and became an illustrator for Headquarters USURAL. After service, he remained in Anchorage and established his business as a sign painter. Bill moved to New York in 1964 where he became involved with the Alaska Pavilion at the New York World's Fair. There he met his bride-to-be, Cathy, and they were married in 1969.

Bill began his second, primary career in the hotel industry and teaching hospitality at a community college. After Cathy's passing from cancer in 1994 he moved to Seattle, WA. He followed his love of art, painting and cooking and started a business called Magic Palette and Skillet organizing watercolor and cooking workshops in Italy and France. He was a member of the "Northwest Water Color Society" and "Artists United of Burien."

During his travels in 2012, Bill was infected with West Nile Virus and was hospitalized in France for three weeks. His nephews Douglas Sperling and Michael Ely and niece Michelle Spinner spent alternate weeks in France playing a major role in saving his life. Upon his return he tried to resume his normal life but the virus along with complications related to diabetes took its toll and he was again hospitalized where he passed away. Bill's family was with him those final days.

Family and friends will remember Bill or "Unca Bull" as his nephews and nieces affectionately called him, as a loving, tender and caring man with a great sense of humor and the joy of painting, cooking, cribbage, golf, ping pong, and in his younger years, basketball. He was generous with his paintings and his time. He was happiest hosting family and friends, challenging anyone to a cribbage game and plunking out tunes on his piano or trumpet (Bill was a jazz nut). He wanted to live near SeaTac (Seattle airport) so that he could serve as a hub for arrivals and departures. "Just call me when you land and I'll be there."

He was preceded in death by his brother Captain D.J. Sperling. Survivors include his older brother Harry Sperling of Federal Way, WA, and sister Mary Ely of Chico, CA, and numerous nieces and nephews living in Florida, Oregon, Utah, California, and Australia. No formal funeral services are planned but a Redwood will be planted in his memory.