William "G.W." G. Sprague

G.W. was born to G. Montague and Dorothy F. Jenner in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on April 16, 1934. His father passed as the result of a lingering illness sustained in WWI and his mother remarried Glenn Sprague of Auburn, NY, U.S.A. Glenn adopted William who was then raised in New York State.

William joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school in Auburn. He served in Korea from 1953 to 1955. He obtained his U.S. citizenship after his service in the Marine Corps.

While in high school, he participated in a variety of sports including basketball, football, and his favorite, baseball. He played at the position of catcher. He also loved music and distinguished himself as a singer and guitar player.

Bill was an extremely hard worker and throughout his life embarked upon an assortment of employment opportunities. He wore many hats: steel worker, furniture mover, construction worker, roofer, meat cutter, landscaper, milk delivery driver, small loan officer, insurance financer, oil services dispatcher, salesman, and sales manager. He relocated from Rayne, LA to Keene, NH in 1990. He worked for Sandri Oil during the winters and operated his own business ‘GW’s Dogs’ during the summers. He and his hotdog stand were fixtures in downtown Keene for many years.

His favorite hat was orange: the cap he wore to music festivals. His primary love was music. He played guitar in the Gary Skillings Iron Skillet Band and The Right Path Band along bandmates Gary Skillings on banjo and Dave Ward on bass guitar. The band played and sang Bluegrass Gospel Music at churches throughout the Monadnock Region and beyond. G.W. was well known, loved, and respected throughout the New England Bluegrass Community.

William is predeceased by his parents, Glenn and Dorothy Sprague. He is survived by his beloved: Melissa L. Magaletta of Keene, NH; three daughters: Janis K. Stone of Foley, AL, Lois E. Sprague of Raleigh, NC, and Laura E. Fairchild (husband Corey J. Fairchild) also of Raleigh, NC; three precious grandchildren: Melani D. Fairchild, Damon S. Bybee, and Corey J. Fairchild, Jr.; one great-grandson: Elijah L. Flores; and his dear and devoted friends: David and Sharon Ward of Brentwood, NH.

Calling hours for William will be held at Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in William G. Sprague’s name are requested to be made to The Community Kitchen, PO Box 1315, Keene, NH 03431 (www.TheCommunityKitchen.org) or to Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, PO Box 564, Keene, NH 03431 (www.HCSServices.org).