William Gasperson
William Gasperson, Bill to those close to him, was dedicated to his family.
"Even though he didn't feel good a lot of times he always tried to spend time with his family," his wife, Sarah Ballard, said.
Mr. Gasperson died of cancer Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, at Boone Hospital Center. He was 29.
He was born June 5, 1981, in Columbia to Michael Gasperson and Rebecca Crow. He attended Hallsville High School, where he met his wife, Sarah Ballard. They married May 10, 2006, in Fayette.
Before getting sick, Mr. Gasperson worked in Columbia delivering carpets for Carpet One. Ballard said her husband was devoted to his family, even though he was limited the last three years by his illness.
His sister, Jessica Trimble, said she was very close to her brother growing up.
"He was very protective," she said. "He always took care of me."
Since he was a kid, Mr. Gasperson was very active. He enjoyed playing sports and working outdoors.
"He liked sports so much," Ballard, said. "He loved baseball and basketball and working with his hands in cars and houses."
When he was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on his spine, Ewing's sarcoma, he had to curb many of his activities. Despite this, his wife said, he was always an optimistic and cheerful person.
"He was always smiling," Ballard said. "He was a happy, funny and caring person."
His family and friends created a support page for him on Facebook.
"We were having trouble with money and it worked," his wife said. "It was a place to let people know about donations but it also showed him the support of his friends and family."
In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by his five-year-old daughter, Katie; a sister, Jessica Trimble of Columbia; grandmothers Anna Gasperson of Columbia and Glenda Crow of Jefferson City; and a large extended family.
His grandfathers, Lee Crow and William Gasperson, died earlier.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, followed by the burial at Oakland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Education Fund for Katie Gasperson, c/o Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W., Columbia, MO 65202 or Boone Hospital Walter Johnson Palliative Care Foundation, 1600 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201.
Tributes can be left at memorialfuneralhomeandcemetary.com.
To read more about William Gasperson go to mymissourian.com
