E.H. "Bill" Parker

Husband, father, grand-father and great-grandfather, Bill Parker, age 91, of Karnack, Texas, passed away on January 9, 2016 in Marshall, Texas with family by his side. Bill was born on May 20, 1924 in Gilmer, Texas to William Franklin and Maudie Mae Parker. After returning home from having fought in World War II, he married his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Ruby May (Senn) Parker on August 11, 1946 who eventually preceded him in death in 2009.

Mr. Parker was also preceded in death by his parents William and Maudie Parker; and his siblings, Mozelle Weatherford, Charlene Miller and Robert (Bob) Parker. He is survived by his devoted daughter Pamela Yvette McPheron of Karnack and grandchildren; Chris Wood and his wife Laura, Shana Wood and Chad Wood all of Marshall, Texas. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Parker Wood and his wife Emily of Flint, Texas; Darby and Austen Shankle, Joshua Wood of Marshall, Texas; and Payton & Jaxson Wood of Marshall.

Young Bill Parker left school in the 8th grade to start working in support of his family. He worked in the Gilmer Samlary Bakery until, at 17, he convinced his mother to help him alter his birth certificate so that he might join the war effort to defend his country abroad.

He was then inducted into the United States Army Infantry on March 4, 1943 as PFC in Company F of the 129th Infantry. During World War II, he was a Machine Gunner, Heavy 605, and qualified for the Combat Infantryman Badge. He fought in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign fighting in the Philippine Islands, first in the Northern Solomons and then in Luzon. He was honorably discharged on 12/27/1945 with multiple decorations, though he never bragged about it. He was awarded two Bronze Stars, a Bronze Arrowhead, a Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart (for being wounded in action), and a Victory Ribbon, along with 4 Overseas Service Bars and the Philippine Liberation Medal. Although Mr. Parker was a man of few words, and didn't speak much of the perils of war, including a long-term bout with malaria, he was a very patriotic man, who was very proud of the country he fought for and grew up in.

Upon return to civilian life, Mr. Parker married his sweetheart, Ruby Senn on August 11th of 1946 and they made their home in Karnack, Texas where he owned a small gas station for a time. He later worked at L.E. Meyers Electrical Company installing telephone poles and wiring, and as a truck driver for a soda water bottling company. Mr. Parker also worked for 17 years at Lone Star Steel manufacturing plant, until he took a lead position with Morton Thiokol at the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant in Karnack where he would ultimately retire after 10 years of service.

All who knew Mr. Parker well would tell you his greatest passion in life was for horses and rodeo. Over the years he owned and trained many registered Quarter Horses. Some he trained early on as cutting horses, but for many years to follow he focused primarily on barrel racing, and trained many horses for the sport. For some people, their favorite past time is team sports, like football, or baseball, etc., but for Mr. Parker it was always horses and rodeo. He lived for rodeos, horseshows, playdays, and Martha Josey's Jr. World events and clinics each year. Some might say he preferred horses over people. However, I believe he would say that he certainly preferred people over horses. It's just that by "over" he meant them sitting in a saddle.

Public visitation will be on January 13, 2016 from 12:00- 1:00pm with a chapel service officiated by Brother Wayne Spanhanks, at the Down's Funeral Home in Marshall, Texas. Interment will be at Andrews Cemetery where he will be laid to rest next to his wife. Honorary Pallbearers will be David Wood, Parker Wood, Joshua Wood, Bryan McCracken, Joey Senn and Jay Hamilton.