William Thomas Parker
October 31, 1923 - December 8, 2008

William Thomas Parker, Jr., 85, died at Wilson N. Jones Medical Center on Monday, December 8, 2008 after a brief illness. Mr. Parker was known as Bill to his family, friends and co-workers. He was born on October 31, 1923 in Oklahoma City, the son of William Thomas Parker, Sr. and Myrtle May Fry Parker. 
The family will receive family and friends at Waldo Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. A 'Celebration of Bill's Life' will be conducted at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Thursday, December 11 at 10:00 a.m. Bishop Gerald Williams of the church will officiate. Burial will follow at West Hill Cemetery. 
Bill's father was a pioneer of the oil drilling industry and the family lived in 12 different states before he was age 2. They settled in Southern California and moved to Texas in 1932. He graduated from Sherman High School in the Class of 1942. After graduation he attended Austin College, before joining the US Navy in Jan. 1943. While serving in the Navy he married his first wife, Martha Bell Creeden. They settled in Long Beach, California. They were married for 12 years before divorcing. This union produced two daughters.
He married his second wife, Betty Belle Carter Fitch. Betty was the love of his life. They remained married until her death in 1997. Bill, Betty and the three girls moved from California to Sherman in 1965 and moved into Bill's childhood home. 
Bill has had many different occupations during his lifetime. Some may remember him working at Johnson & Johnson and Hitchcock Industries. He eventually retired from Aramark at Austin College.
He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, and one brother, Bob Parker. 
Survivors include two daughters from his first marriage, Robin Lynn Parker of Dallas and Susan Parker Pinion of Sherman and a very special son-in-law, Mike Pinion, whom he loved and respected. He is also survived by a stepdaughter, Linda Fitch Lillie, who was 9 years old when he married her mother. He loved all three of his daughters equally along with their families. 
His family was his pride and joy. Grandchildren are Lori Lillie and Lisa Lillie of Denison, Michiel S. Pinion and wife Roniese of Sherman, Daniel Pinion and wife Kristie of Anna, Kerry Pinion Smith and husband Tap of Sadler. Great grandchildren are Lorinda Lillie, Taylor Pinion, Chase Michael Pinion, Chase William Pinion, Matthew Pinion, Lauren Pinion, Sean Michiel Pinion, Shelby Smith, Nikki Smith and his namesake?Parker Smith.
He is also survived by a brother Rogers D. 'Don' Parker of Dallas and sister-in-law Betty Parker, wife of his brother Robert 'Bob' Parker. 
He was known as Papa to his many grandchildren, and Bill to his brother and friends. He will always hold a special place in our hearts. He was a kind and gentle man. His love of his family and friends was appreciated and will be treasured. His unconditional love and sweet spirit was an inspiration to us all. He is now with his Heavenly Father. He was ready to go Home so he could see his beloved Betty again. He can now see so clearly, hear the angels sing and run and jump like he did as a boy. We will all remember him fondly.