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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Mar '00
William R. Parker * '46
No. 15828 - 28 Mar 1925 - 27 Apr 1999
Died in Fairfax, VA * Interred in St. Alban's Episcopal Church
Memorial Garden, Annandale, VA
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WILLIAM ROBERT PARKER was born in Casper and raised
in Laramie, WY. Later, in his formative years, Bill moved with
his family to Maryland, where he graduated from Montgomery Blair
High School in 1942. After a year at the University of Maryland,
Bill gained his coveted appointment to West Point and joined
the Class of '46 on the banks of the Hudson on I July 1943.
Bill had a relatively uneventful cadet life. He
adapted well to the system and spent his spare time playing handball.
He graduated a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps.
Following basic artillery training at Ft. Sill,
OK, and Ft. Bliss, TX, Bill's first assignment was to Japan.
He then returned to the States and served with the 11th Airborne
Division Artillery at Ft. Campbell, KY, during 1951-52. He left
the Army in 1955 to make his way in the civilian world.
Bill returned to Wyoming to earn a masters in political
science from the University of Wyoming in 1956. The next year,
he moved to Washington state to pursue further Studies in political
science at the University of Washington, where he met and married
Ada Mary Dodwell in February 1958. Soon thereafter, Bill became
a research engineer with Boeing.
It was the aerospace industry that brought him
to the East Coast in 1963. He left private industry for the federal
government, joining the National Institute of Health (NIH) in
1968 as a Systems Analyst for NIH's Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (Grants Management Branch). Bill retired
in 1994 from the NIH after 26 years of service.
Bill and Mary had moved to northern Virginia for
his work at NIH, and they remained there during his retirement.
Bill was able to spend more time on his personal interests. An
avid reader, he enjoyed studying history, loved choral music,
and was active in the Fairfax County Choral Society.
Bill had diabetes, and the last two years of his
life were extremely difficult. His beloved Mary died of cancer
on 27 Apr 1997. Exactly two years later, Bill died from a massive
heart attack. Bill and Mary's survivors included four daughters-Penny,
Marjorie, Ruth and Jill; a sister, Marilyn Reeder, widow of classmate
Torn Reeder; and four grandchildren.
Bill Parker is remembered fondly by all who knew
and loved him. His impact on them is best described by their
remembrances of a very fine man.
Bill's nephew, Torn Reeder, in his eulogy remarks
at his uncle's funeral, recalled: "He was not a simple man,
and meant many different things to many different people. He
was a beloved son, brother, uncle, husband, father, surrogate
father, and 'grampy.' He was a devoted Army officer, public servant,
and much appreciated volunteer do-gooder. Bill loved people.
He didn't give up easily. Look at his fight during his last two
years. What happened to him was enough to make most folks give
up."
Fellow volunteer, Doug Hyde, wrote: "Bill
periodically volunteered to drive a van full of visitors 300
miles to my house in West Virginia where they could stay while
visiting loved ones in the federal women's penitentiary. Bill
put the needs of others above his own, always reaching out to
others. His life teaches us about faith, sacrifice and how to
love and be loved. The epitaph I will hold in my mind for Bill
is, "The words he chose were not important. The actions
he chose continue to speak his faith in god and his love of the
least of his brothers and sisters."
Choral music lover, Virginia Peters, recalled:
"As long as I live, I will be grateful to Bill for opening
up, for me and several friends, the world of classical choral
music in the greater Washington area. He was known at St. Alban's
for his Support of the Church music program and for his interest
in outreach. Bill was a very big man with a very big heart! He
is sorely missed."
His sister Marilyn reminisced: "Having such
a loving, caring brother stationed at Ft. Sill while my husband
Torn was in Korea was such a blessing. Our three young sons definitely
needed a super 'Uncle Bill' at that time. That was the beginning
of a great lifetime relationship between them and Uncle Bill."
Daughter Ruth recalled: "Dad loved to read
about historical figures. He prided himself on reading the latest
biographies. His word was his bond. He would go out of his way
to honor a promise, and he had many friends who would tell you
it was appreciated greatly. I miss him very much."
Daughter Marjorie recalled: "Dad loved the
outdoors. I enjoyed being with him on our many hiking trips.
While I was in high school, he joined a local hiking club through
which he could share his love of the outdoors with others. He
encouraged me and my family to also participate. I remember,
fondly, hikes in sunshine, snow, and rain. It always helps me
when I can go outside and enjoy the day, just like I did with
Dad."
Daughter Jill remembered: "Even though Dad
was a busy man, he always found the time to try and make us feel
secure. He was a great father."
Daughter Penny wrote: "My father dedicated
his life to the service of others. That will remain my most enduring
memory of him. I am convinced he passed with no regrets, delighted
to have lived in service to others."
To the words of love and devotion from his family
and friends, the Class of '46 is proud to add those words that
would mean so much to our classmate, "Well Done, Bill; Be
Thou at Peace."
'46 Memorial Article Project and his daughters
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