William Sparks was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire on 16 June 1893, the son of William Thomas and Edith Frances Sparks (née White). He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Artificer on 17 July 1909. On completing his apprenticeship, he was promoted to Engine Room Artificer Fifth Class and served in HMS MONARCH and HMS LEVIATHAN.

He served in submarines as an Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class from 5 November 1916 in HMS DOLPHIN, HMS MAIDSTONE, HMS CORMORANT, HMS E38, HMS L24, HMS AMBROSE, and HMS L2. He was promoted to Artificer Engineer on 15 July 1925 and on 25 October 1925 he was appointed to HMS L19 as the Engineer and then to HMS TITANIA ‘for Submarines‘ on 18 April 1926. On 11 October 1926, his rank was changed to Warrant Engineer.

From 10 May 1928 to 2 September 1928, he served in the battleship HMS BENBOW. He joined HMS L14 on 3 September 1928 and was appointed to HMS PANDORA on 9 August 1929 as the Engineer. He was then appointed to HMS CALCUTTA on 2 September 1933 and served in that ship until 13 November 1933 when he was appointed to HMS L20 as the Engineer.

On 18 June 1934 Captain (Submarines) reported that William Sparks was missing from HMS DOLPHIN in circumstances indicating the possibility of his having committed suicide by drowning.  His body was recovered from Langstone Harbour on 22 June 1934 and, at the inquest in the Guildhall, Portsmouth, it was concluded that ‘he had committed suicide whilst the balance of his mind was disturbed’.

He is buried in the Royal Naval Cemetery, Haslar in Plot G 14 22.