Sparkplug Witwicky (G1)

William "Sparkplug" Witwicky was a Sergeant in the US Marines. Apparently he spent some time as a prisoner of war in Korea.

He has an indeterminate number of sons (Spike, Buster and "Butch") which varies depending on the continuity. No mention ever seems to be made of him ever having had a wife.

It is suspected that he may be able to reproduce by asexual cell-division.

Generation One Animated Continuity
When we first meet Sparkplug, both he and Spike seem to be oil rig workers. Afterwards, neither of them ever seems to need to get a job ever again.

Marvel Comics Continuity
William "Sparkplug" Witwicky was a Sergeant in the US Marines. Apparently he spent some time as a prisoner of war in Korea. He is a mechanic, and owned his own service station, until it was flattened by Ratbat and the Predacons.

In the comics, he suffers a heart attack as a result of the Autobots, and is much less friendly with them than in the cartoon.