Bill was the son of the late Walter and Opal Sparks Barker, was born in Elliott County, Kentucky. On January 26, 1946, he married Neva Sparks who preceded him in death June 1, 1994.
He is survived by 2 daughters, Patricia (Mike) Lyons, Lexington, Kentucky, and Kathryn (John) Branson, Cape Coral, Florida; 4 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; 4 sisters, Edith Mull, Woodstock, Ohio, Lena Ison, Sandy Hook, Ky., Carol McDowell, Blaine, Ky., and Alma Litteral, Martha, Ky.; a very special friend, Virginia Ratliff, Paintsville, Ky.
Bill served our country during WWII in the United States Army. He was a member of the Paintsville First Baptist Church. From 1950 to 1985, he was an announcer for WSIP and was called Cactus Bill.
