William Edward "Billy Buckwheat" Sparks, 47, of 121 Knollcrest Drive, met his Fathers in Heaven on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2007.

Born in Gaffney, he was the son of Betty Knight Sparks and the late Joe Mac Sparks Sr. Mr. Sparks was a Show Car Coordinator for Hollywood Productions in Gaffney. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church and was a Shriner. He was a NASCAR enthusiast and was living out his dream.

Surviving in addition to his mother, Betty Knight Sparks, of the home are his stepmother, Aileen G. Sparks, of Gaffney; a daughter, Jennifer Pittman; a brother, Joe Mac Sparks Jr. of Gaffney; a sister, Cheryl Corbett of Gaffney; a stepbrother, Ricky Duckett of Mooresville, N.C.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, Mr. Sparks was preceded in death by his grandparents, Rev. Alex and Ruby Knight and Hal and Carrie Sparks.

Services will be held today at 11 a.m. at Shuford-Hatcher Funeral Home at Frederick Memorial Gardens Chapel, conducted by Dr. Paul Noe and the Rev. Randy McCraw. Burial will be in Frederick Memorial Gardens.

Visitation was held Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Shuford- Hatcher Funeral Home at Frederick Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to the Billy "Buckwheat" Sparks trust fund at the American Community Bank, 217 N. Granard St., Gaffney, S.C. 29340.

Arrangements by Shuford- Hatcher Funeral Home at Frederick Memorial Gardens.