William Sprague

1946 - 2026

William Sprague

February 19, 1946 - February 26, 2026

We are saddened to remember the passing of William Robert Sprague, O.D., who died Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Mayo's St. Mary Hospital in Rochester, MN.

William "Bill" was born February 19, 1946, in Stevens Point the son of Clifford and Ethel (Malick) Sprague.

After studying for two years at UW-Stevens Point, Bill went on to achieve his doctorate degree from the College of Optometry in Chicago, IL. In the fall of 1969, Dr. Sprague started work with Dr. Michael Melcher in Thorp. In the fall of 1970, Dr. Sprague was drafted for Vietnam to begin his Army Medical Service at Fort Sill, OK from 1971 to 1973. Returning to Thorp, Dr. Sprague served on the Wisconsin Optometric Examining Board during the seventies and eighties. He helped begin an initial Thorp Jaycee Chapter. He served on the Victory Memorial Hospital Board, 1979-1985, with some years as its President. Dr. Sprague also helped start a new optometry office in Cadott and later, in Chippewa Falls called New Vista Eyecare. In 2007, he retired after thirty-eight years of optometry service in Thorp, Owen, Cadott, and Chippewa Falls. Dr. Sprague also served over sixty years in the American Optometric Association with a lifetime membership in the Wisconsin Optometry Association.

Dr. Sprague married Margaret Kramer (daughter of Chuck and Agnes) in Chicago, on January 2, 1971.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Margaret (Pegg); one son, Luke (Nancy Soo Hoo); and two daughters, Jennifer (Michael) Murray and Jacqueline (Jason) Lang; four grandchildren, Walter, Emiline, Nathaniel and Carson; two step-grandsons, Jacob and Jonathan (Haley) Lang; a sister, Trudy Sprague; a sister-in-law, Lucy (Kevin) Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was a proud outdoorsman who held a lifelong love for nature. He found great joy in creating beautiful gardens with Pegg, fishing in bass tournaments, hunting, and cheering for the Green Bay Packers. Most of all, he treasured the time he spent at his cabin up north - whether relaxing beside a campfire on a warm summer evening, listening to the loons from the deck with a grandchild, tooting around on the pontoon and casting a line, or stalking the white-tailed deer through the forest. He will be remembered for the many hours he spent tinkering on the computer, working in his basement shop or rigging up his bass boat in the garage. We will miss his gentle spirit, and his deep devotion to his family and friends.

Bill's presence in our lives displayed an intelligent hard-working attitude with quiet, devoted strength. Our family is comforted knowing Bill is resting in God's presence, praising the Lord for all he was able to accomplish in his lifetime.

A celebration of his life will occur from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Horan Funeral Home in Chippewa Falls. Inurnment will be in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner later this spring.

We appreciate your love and support as we gather for an afternoon of remembering Dr. Bill Sprague.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.horanfuneralhome.com