William H. "Bill" Sperber 72 longtime St. Maries area resident, died July 28, 2011 at St. Maries from complications due to pneumonia. He was born January 25, 1939 to William A. and Pearle Way Sperber at Plummer, ID He grew up at Plummer and began working with his father in the woods when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Plummer High School with the class of 1957. As a young man, he worked for various employers in the logging industry. He married Barbara Jayne Derry on Nov. 12, 1960 at Coeur d' Alene, ID . Following their marriage, he worked as a long haul truck driver transporting equipment to Malmstrom Air Force Base at Great Falls, MT for the construction of Missile sites. In 1965, he went to work for Jack Buell Trucking when Jack purchased his second logging truck. He worked for Mr. Buell for several years. He purchased is own logging truck in the early 1970's and worked under different contractors. From 1975 to 1976, he worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline for Weaver Brothers. He was an "Ice Road Trucker" hauling pipeline equipment from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. Following that, Bill came home to St. Mareis where hel oged again for several years. In 1980, Bill and Barb returned to Alaska and lived and worked on Prince of Wales Island for the next 16 years. Upon their return to St. Maries, Bill went to work for his brother-in-law, Larry Derry, as a diesel mechanic. In 2000, he returned to work for Jack Buell Trucking as Night Shop Foreman a position he held until his death. He enjoyed hunting , fly fishing and camping with his family , when he was a young man. Bill was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Alaska and a Lifetime Member of the St. Maries Elks Lodge # 1418. Bill is survived by his wife at the family home. Daughters and sons-in-law Dawn and Tyke Hawkins of Dillon, MT and Brenda and Mickey Buell and Carol and Floyd Lanphear all of St. Maries. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Dale and Billy Sperber of Plummer, ID . Also surviving are "Pops" grandchildren Jesse Hawkins, Katie Hawkins Sheridan, Ryan and Chris Buell. Great grandchildren Taeva, Eden, Ivy and Tessa Sheridan and Acen, Logan and Brayden Buell . He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Graveside services will be Saturday August 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Columbarium at Woodlawn Cemetery with Mr. Mickey Buell and Mr. Gary Michael officiating. Bill was known for his sense of humor , his generosity and love of animals therefore The family suggests memorials to Benewah Co. Humane Society /Hope's Haven 53 Robinson Lane, St. Maries, ID 83861. Visit his online memorial and sign his guest book for the family at www.hodgefuneralhome.com
