Bill Sprinkle passed away on June 5, 2026. He died peacefully in Bismarck, North Dakota after a remarkable, full life. He was a proud husband, father, grandfather, hall-of-fame athlete, and lifelong coach.

William John Sprinkle was born on April 25, 1946, in Seattle, Washington, to William and Anita (O'Connor) Sprinkle. Bill spent his formative years in Great Falls, Montana, where he attended St. Mary's Elementary School and graduated from Great Falls Central High School in 1964.

An exceptional high school athlete, Bill was a High School All-American in three sports: football, basketball and track. On the gridiron, he helped the Mustangs to the 1962 Class A football championship. His athletic accomplishments earned him induction into the Montana High School Association Athletes' Hall of Fame in 1996. Beyond athletics, Bill excelled academically and was a proud participant in American Legion Boys State.

Following high school, Bill received a football scholarship to the University of Washington, continuing the Sprinkle family legacy of playing for the Huskies. From 1964 to 1968, he played defensive back and returned punts, earning varsity letters in 1967 and 1968. He was a member of the elite "Purple Helmet 110 Percenters," an honor awarded to the toughest and hardest-working defensive players. In 1968 he graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in Political Science.

After college, Bill returned to Montana and followed in his father's footsteps, working for First Bank in Missoula and Lewistown for a few years. He left banking in 1972, and followed his passion for coaching. He began his football coaching career at Montana Tech in Butte, where he met Danette Holland. Together they built a life centered on faith, family and service.

Bill's coaching career took him across Montana, including stops at C.M. Russell, Billings Central and Helena High. In addition to coaching, Bill taught U.S. History, sharing his lifelong passion with generations of students. In 1987, he was named Assistant Executive Director of the Montana High School Association, a position he held until his retirement in 2005.

Throughout his career, Bill served in numerous leadership roles that advanced athletics across Montana. He served on the Board of Directors of the Montana Coaches Association, as President-Elect of the Montana Coaches Association, Commissioner of the Montana Officials Association, Vice Chair of the National Federation of State High School Associations Football Rules Committee, founder and President of the Montana Chapter of the National Football Foundation, President of the Helena Sports Hall of Fame, and as a Big Sky Conference football officials evaluator. He also served on the board of Montana Special Olympics, led the Helena chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and created the Aim Higher Student Leadership Program.

While football was woven throughout Bill's life, it was far more than a game to him. He was a born teacher with a gift for connecting lessons from history, leadership and teamwork. His children fondly remember the sound of tape rolling late into the night as he prepared for the next game. The wooden top of his desk bears the X's and O's he sketched with a pencil, pressed so deeply into the soft wood that they remain etched there today—a lasting reminder of his passion for coaching. In recognition of his contributions to football in Montana, Bill received the National Football Foundation's Leadership Award in 2007, which was presented to him in New York City. In 2026, those same contributions earned him induction into the Montana Football Hall of Fame.

Away from the sidelines, Bill was an accomplished golfer and a longtime member of Green Meadow Country Club in Helena. Golf became a passion after retirement, and some of his happiest memories were made on the course with friends and family. He especially treasured his annual trips to Palm Desert with his lifelong friends from Great Falls for the Big High/Little High tournament. These friendships endured for decades and remained among the most meaningful relationships of his life.

While Bill's accomplishments were many, his family was always his greatest source of pride.

Bill and Danette were just shy of celebrating their 53rd wedding anniversary. Danette was the love of his life. He adored her beautiful blue eyes, her kindness and her warm smile, and he never stopped appreciating the love she brought to their marriage. In his final years, Danette cared for him with extraordinary devotion, serving as his caregiver with remarkable patience and a smile on her face.

Bill cherished the lifelong bond he shared with his siblings. He loved gathering around the table, swapping stories, laughing until tears filled his eyes and enjoying the wonderful meals they prepared. The family's cooking talent somehow passed him by but he delighted in eating whatever they put in front of him. Bill was also deeply grateful for Danette’s family, the Hollands, who welcomed him as one of their own from the very beginning. He cherished his relationship with Danette's parents, Dan and Stella Holland of Butte, and enjoyed the lifelong friendships he shared with Danette's brothers and sisters. Some of his happiest family memories were made around the Thanksgiving table at Pat and Karen Holland's home in Butte, where laughter, stories and family traditions were shared year after year.

Bill took immense pride in watching his son, Danny, coach at the highest levels of college basketball and was present when Danny was introduced as the 20th head men's basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of Washington. He cherished sharing his love of politics, history and sense of humor with his daughter Erin. He adored his daughter Lacey for her boundless energy and devotion to family, but Bill might argue that Lacey’s biggest contribution was the seven grandchildren she brought into his life. Bill also shared a special bond with his son-in-law, Mark Gallik, and loved watching Mark play football at Carroll College. The two could spend hours discussing college football and reviewing statistics. Those conversations became one of Bill's favorite pastimes and a connection they both shared. He also shared a special friendship with Mark’s parents, Lyn and Linda Gallik of Stevensville, as they delighted in watching their grandchildren grow.

A proud Husky through and through, Bill loved returning to Husky Stadium each fall to cheer on the Dawgs. The University of Washington held a special place in his heart, and he remained deeply connected to the program and his teammates throughout his life. His family takes comfort in knowing that Bill will forever be looking down on Montlake on autumn Saturdays. His presence will undoubtedly be felt at every game Danny coaches, and if Danny is listening closely, he may still hear a little wanted—even if unsolicited—advice from his dad after the final buzzer.

Bill went to be with his Lord, on June 5, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Danette (Holland) Sprinkle; daughter Erin Sprinkle of Seattle; son Danny Sprinkle of Seattle; daughter Lacey Gallik and son-in-law Mark Gallik of Bismarck, North Dakota; grandchildren William, Stella, Matthew, Andrew, Joseph, Margaret and Luke; sisters Liz Loynes (Rick) of League City, Texas, and Susie Sprinkle of Great Falls; and brother John Patrick (Cary) Sprinkle of Butte; in-laws Pat (Karen) Holland of Butte, Joe Holland (Butte) and Marlene Murdo (Bob) of Helena. Bill also left behind his dog, Berkeley, who became a constant companion and remained by his side until his final breath.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Anita Sprinkle, sister Janye Sprinkle and brother Stephen Sprinkle, and sister-in-law Peggy Holland.

A funeral service and celebration of Bill's life is being planned for July 8th, 2026, at 12:00pm at the Cathedral of St. Helena, Montana.