Francis William Farr - Class of 1943

Bill Farr was born on September 16, 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah. After thirteen years, his family moved to Sparks, Nevada.

When World War II broke out, Bill left SHS and went down to the draft office to volunteer. As a soldier Bill received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, three Combat Stars, a Presidential Citation, a Combat Infantry Badge, as well as being one of the first twelve officers from the United States Army to receive the Expert Infantry Badge.

After returning home, Bill attended night classes at Reno High School where he finished his high school education. Bill joined the Sparks Volunteer Fire Department and quickly moved up within the department, becoming a regular fireman after one year, a captain after another two years, and Chief of the Fire Department two years after that. He held that position for twenty-six years. Eventually, Bill retired from the department, only to go on to be elected a Nevada Senator, serving from 1966 to 1970. He was the first Nevada Senator to be elected from the City of Sparks. He changed careers again, running unopposed for County Commissioner and holding that office for six years, as well as Chairman of the Board of Washoe County Commissioners and a member of the Fire Commission until 1980. In 1983, Bill took the position of Northern Nevada Administrator for Nevada Senator Chic Hecht.

Bill was married to his wonderful wife Grace for fifty-nine years. They had three children, Kenneth, Larry, and daughter, Frances. Bill co authored a book about his experiences in the war called War Stories. Presently he is helping to write The History of Sparks, a written account of what our beautiful little city has gone through and become.

At eighty years old, Francis William Farr is an amazing man with an amazing story and it is quite obvious why he will forever be honored in our Sparks High School Alumni Hall of Fame.

Inducted 2004