Billy ‘Bill’ Wilburn Parker
Billy “Bill” Wilburn Parker, 87, of Cape Girardeau, went home to be with Jesus at 6:39 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2021.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Parker; his parents, James Ruben and Alice Rose Evans Parker; brothers Gene Arthur Parker and Ruby Alfred “Jr” Parker; sisters Dolly LaVerne Walker, Verlane Marie Knight, Helen Lynelle Tindall, Agatha Yvonne Parker, Alma Jean Southard and Mary Loretta Beaver; daughter Lela Ann Parker; granddaughter Christina Beth Greenley; and great-grandson, Xavier Tribout.
He is survived by sons Phillip (Sherry) Parker of Tamms, Tim (Janice) Parker of Tamms and Tom (Amy) Parker of Cape Girardeau; daughters Cindy Parker of Symsonia, Ky., Sheila (Larry) Taylor of Scott City, Mo., Elizabeth (Clayton) Greenley of Tamms, Myra Parker of Olive Branch, Wanda Parker of Tamms and Kristie (Donnie) Tucker of Tamms; sister Brenda Butler of Cape Girardeau; 24 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was born on July 5, 1933, in East Prairie, Mo.
He married Dorothy Prosser on Jan. 15, 1956, in Grafton. She was the love of his life, and though there were hard times, they developed a bond that couldn’t even be broken in death.
When Bill was placed on hospice, he and Dorothy had an “arrangement.” They vowed that no matter who went to Heaven first, they would be followed shortly by the one left behind. That was accomplished when he followed her in death by seven weeks.
Bill and Dorothy had 10 children, and he worked most of his life driving over-the-road trucks to provide for his family.
He had an incredible work ethic and taught his children to work hard for what they had.
He was generous to a fault. He would give the shirt off his back to someone in need. He loved fiercely. He laughed heartily. He loved babies. The light in his eyes when he was presented with each new grandbaby, was testimony to that. Proverbs 17:6 says “Children’s children are the crown of old men.” He wore his crown proudly.
He is happy again, reunited with Dorothy and Lela, resting in the arms of Jesus.
Graveside services were Monday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. The funeral procession formed at Jones Funeral Home in Tamms and proceeded to McCrite Cemetery, where interment followed. The Rev. Larry Taylor officiated the service. Full military honors were given by the Scott Air Force Base honor guard and area veterans.
Memorials can be made to the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.
To sign the online guestbook, visit www.jones-funeral.com.
Jones Funeral Home Tamms was in charge of arrangements.