Background
Sparks, William Joseph was born on February 26, 1904 in Wilkinson, Indiana, United States. Son of Charles Edward and Daisy (McDaniel) Sparks.
Sparks, William Joseph was born on February 26, 1904 in Wilkinson, Indiana, United States. Son of Charles Edward and Daisy (McDaniel) Sparks.
Bachelor of Arts with distinction, Indiana University, 1926, Master of Arts, 1929. Doctor of Philosophy, University Illinois, 1936. Student Harvard Graduate School Business Administration, 1952.
Doctorate. Science, Indiana University, 1966, Michigan Technology Institute, 1966.
With East.I. de Nemours du Pont Company, 1929-1934. Principal chemist United States Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois, 1939-1940. With Esso Research and Engineering Company, 1936-1938, 40-67, director chemical division, 1946-1958, science adviser, 1958-1967.
Chairman director chemistry and chemical technical National Research Council, 1953-1955.
Chairman United States delegate International Union Pure & Applied Chemistry, Stockholm, 1953.
Member Science Research Society American (national chairman 1968-1970), American Chemical Society (president 1966, director 1958-1967), Armed Forces Chemical Association (chairman committee chemical and biological warfare), American Institute Chemists (Pioneer award 1969), Association Research Directors, Society Chemical Industries, National Academy Engineering, Sigma Xi (national chairman), Alpha Chi Sigma, Phi Lambda Upilon (honorary). Clubs: Chemists’ (vice president) (New York City).
Married Meredith Pleasant, December 31, 1930. Children: Ruth, Katherine, Charles, John.