William C. “Chuck” Sprouse, Age 73, of Butte

Chuck Sprouse died at St. James Health Care, Butte, Montana on August 7, 2020. He was born at home in Little, West Virginia, on November 16, 1946, to Murle Guy and Willie Gertrude Dolan Sprouse.

Chuck attended grade school at Sistersville, WV, and high school at Middlebourne, WV. He joined the Navy at age 17, and that is where he met and married Glenda Snook. Glenda was from Grand Junction, Colorado, and that is how he ended up out West. Glenda was the mother of his children.

Chuck worked as a miner throughout several states in the west, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, which lead him to Montana, and Butte. When the mines closed in the 70s, he started selling cars, and that is what he did for a living for the rest of his career until he retired. Chuck was a well-known car salesman in Butte for many years.

While here in Butte, he was in several long-term relationships. In the early days he was married to Gloria, who worked in admitting at the hospital, and his last relationship was with his soulmate, Charleanna (Char) Mills, who passed away in 2005. He missed her and spoke dearly about her right up to his own passing. He also missed his long time companion and faithful sidekick Dude, who had been lost in the fire the year before. Hopefully they are all together now once more.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Charles Sprouse and Bessie Couchenour Sprouse Flanagan; and William (Will) Dolan and Lelar Capps Dolan Tweety.

He is survived by one son and one daughter, Lonnie Lockwood and Teri and (Bob) Vallery, both of Colorado. He is survived as well by three brothers, Murle (Pat) Sprouse of Powhatan Point, Ohio, Ron (Karen) Sprouse of Scotts Depot, West Virginia, and Mark (Buffy) Sprouse of New Martinsville, West Virginia; and two sisters, Ginger (Harry) Evans of Negley, Ohio, and Patty (Joe) Kester of Shirley, West Virginia. He is survived by six nieces and six nephews. He is survived by six grandchildren, Chance Holcomb of Denver, Colorado, Chelsie and (Scott) Vanlandingham of Fruita, Colorado, Jason Lockwood of Grand Junction, Colorado, Jo Lynn and Josie Lockwood of Butte, Montana, and Bear Sprouse of Butte, Montana. Chuck is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Calvin and Aven Vanlandingham of Fruita, Colorado. He is also survived by two cherished friends, Brad Taggart and Paula Beach.

Brad Taggart had the privilege of being his friend, a ‘brother’ in every sense of the word, for most of twenty years, and he was like a father to Paula Beach.

There was a memorial service held in Butte, MT, on Friday, August 14, 2020, at Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services in honor of Chuck. There will be a private family service for him in West Virginia. Internment will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Conaway Lake Road, Alma, WV.

Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Chuck. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Chuck and his family.