William Parker

Services will be held on Friday, December 28, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Faith Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Kevin Jones officiating. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens immediately following. Visitation will be Thursday, December 27, 2007 from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Mr. Parker, 90, of Meridian, died on December 24, 2007 at his home.

Mr. Parker, was born in Louisville, MS on April 18, 1917. There he attended school and worked in the family blacksmith shop and grist mill. He joined the Mississippi Army National Guard October 26, 1936. His unit, the 114th Field Artillery Battalion, was called to active duty for World War II on October 17, 1940. During his active duty tour he served in North Africa and the invasion of Sicily and Italy with the 932nd Field Artillery Battalion, service Battery of the distinguished Dixie Division. He was de-activated on July 6, 1945 and returned home. Mr. Parker worked for Southern Natural Gas in Louisville, MS. He Transferred to employment with Gulf Transport Bus Company and moved to Meridian, MS. He transferred to the Army National Guard on May 3, 1950. His service with the Air National Guard included three periods of active duty service during the Korean Conflict and the Cuban Missile Crisis. He served 27 years with the 186th Tactical Reconnaissance Group advancing to the positon of Vehicle Maintenance Supervison. He retired on Apirl 18, 1977 at the rank of Senior Master Sergant and returned to civilian status. In total, Mr. Parker accumulated over 37 years of combined federal service. He always served God, family and his country with pride.

After his retirement he pursued several hobbies fishing being number one and jobs related to his mechanical background. He ended formal employment working for a defense contractor reconditionding jet aircrat engines at Key Field in Meridian and briefly ran a small engine repair service from his home.

Mr. Parker married Alice D. Forbes on April 28, 1942 in Ackerman, MS. and they enjoyed over 60 years of devoted life together. William and Alice Parker became Christians during his World War II active duty time. After moving to Meridian they joined State Boulevard Baptist Church where they were very active during the following years. Mr. Parker served as deacon and he and Alice worked for many years with the church youth groups and later participated in the Senior Choir. He served on committees of church related business for more than 50 years and became a true patriarch of his Christian faith.

Mr. Parker was an active Mason and was later inducted into the Scottish Rite Bodies, Hamasa Temple. He was also a member of the VFW and American Legion.

Survivors include a son William Forbes Parker, Topeka, Kansas; two sisters, Willie Mae Elliot, Sabinal, Texas and Christine Samelson, Corpus Christi, Texas; two grand-daughters, Allison Parkes Knowles, Grain Valley, Missouri; a great-grand-daughter, Emily Knowles, Grain Valley, Missouri; and two daughters-in-law Norma Parker, Blue Springs, Missouri and Juanita Parker, Topeka, Kansas.

Her was preceded in death by his wife Alice D. Frobes Parker and by his parents William M. Parker and Hettie Rose Massey Parker and four siblings.

Pallbearers will be Charles Wright, Joe Pat Lannon, Howard DuBose, Johnny Atkinson, Eugene Anderson and Leonard Hoffer. Honorary Pallbearers will be the members of the Log Rollers Sunday School Class of Faith Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to the Faith Baptist Church building Fund, to the Harper Hospice or to the Charity of your choice in Mr. Parker's name.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 27, 2007 at Webb Funeral Home.

Visitation

James F. Webb Funeral Home
2514 7th Street
Meridian, MS  39301
Thursday, December 27, 2007
5:007:00

Service

Church Service

Faith Baptist Church
5050 Hwy 19 N
Meridian, MS  39307
Friday, December 28, 2007
11:30 a.m.

Cemetery

Forest Lawn Cemetery
Hwy 39 N
Meridian, MS  39305