Willie Parker

Funeral services for Deacon Willie R. Parker, 84, of Killeen, will be at 1 P.M. Friday at Marlboro Heights Missionary Baptist Church, 2901 Illinois Avenue. in Killeen, with Dr. Shaun L. Moton officiating. Interment will follow at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.

November 7, 1925, in Gonzales, Texas was a most glorious day for Robert and Sadie Parker when they embraced the stewardship of their parental assignment to Wille Roy Parker. Born the eighth of ten children, his unique purpose was aligned to accomodate every season assigned to fulfill the will of God as predesigned by the drum major of Time.

He seized the security of his eternal destiny when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the tender age of 12. As a young man embracing the limited priveleges assigned to only a sixth grade education, his personal passion caused him to exceed the parameters of his confinement by submitting to instruction by the means of life experience.

In January of 1944 he was inducted into the United States Navy, where he served his country faithfully and honorably as a Carpenter. He was honorably discharged from active duty Navy in February of 1946, and relocated to San Antonio, Texas. Here, he furthered his pursuit of emploment as a general contractor until exercising the courage to relocate to Los Angeles, California in 1948.

A man with enormous respect for the value of hard work and responsibility, he was employed as a Transport Driver for a Dry Cleaners until his pursuit of employment with Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation. Here, he was employed as a Heavy Duty Truck Driver. His steadfast devotion to serving Los Angeles County after thirtytwo years earned him the reward of rest in the cradle of retirement.

The years between 19571961 proved significant in that, he met the acquaintance of his loving and lifetime companion in the precious personality of Leola Olivia Avery. They were united in holy matrimony on November 4, 1961. Both served the Lord faithfully under the ministry umbrella of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church. It was here that he was assigned to the diaconate under the leadership of the Reverend Joseph L. Griffin Sr. Found to epitomize the scriptural qualities of a deacon, he was appointed to serve as the Chairman of Deacons for several years. Together, they were blessed to enjoy the fruit of their labor by traveling extensively to such places as Europe, Korea, Hong Kong, Haiwaii, the Caribbean and several cities across the United States of America.

In the fall of 2000, they relocated to Birmingham, Alabama where they futhered their covenant with God and their committment to one another. Here, their committment in service to the Lord would continue under the ministry umbrella of the Mount Moriah Baptist Church Pastor Walter Solomon until she was lifted from this life on September 10, 2004.

Shortly after the deliverance of his wife he sensed the Lords leading to return to his home state of Texas, in the city of Killeen. On third Sunday, November 21, 2004, Marlboro was graced with receiving him as a delightful addition to the church family. His servant spirit and saintly devotion left none to question who he was, as a child of God. His love for the Lord and for the people he so passionately cared for was manifested in multidimensional matters. Whether it was by his willingness to visit the sick, even when he was not well or to take the time to call when he could not visit in an effort to pray for the members he was assigned or to make the time to impart encouraging words, even when they were unsolicited andor unexpected, Deacon Parker did not just make an impression, but left an indelible imprint of the love of God upon everyone blessed to know him.

Once considering himself to have been a member of the church, he soon after united with Marlboro publicly testified, Im more than a member of the church, Im a disciple in development. This was clear to the pastor, deacons, and the entire Marlboro Family in that he would never entertain or accept any excuse for not being where the Word was being taught, discussed, or proclaimed. Even when it meant he had to strategize, organize, and prioritize his own transportation, Deacon Parker would be at SHIFT, Bible Study, Christian Discipleship, Deacons Meetings, Worship Services, and sometimes even Choir Rehearsal. Never found to be sitting and silent in any of the above, Deacon Parker maintained a very vocal testimony in affirmation of the scriptures related to his own life. In SHIFT, he was known as our Senior Statesman whom we could always count on to interpretively clarify the words of Solomon, Paul, or David in his own flavor. So candid and deliberate were his observations of the scriptures that he often offered advice and instruction from the pages of his own life to his fellow Disciples in Development. A combination of his unique personality, and his unforgettable passion to clarify the application of truth brought a sense of excitement and humor to others. Keenly aware of the ministry of laughter, he remained armed to aid those battling the challenges of discouragement with innocent humor. Almost weekly in SHIFT he brought the house down with a healthy dose of innocent humor. He will forever be remembered for such statements as If you want to get the word out, dont use a telephone or a telegram... Tell a woman.

A courier of the Gospel, fashioned and packaged in the shape of a servant, we are certain that he answered the gentle and loving call of his Lord to enter eternal rest on Monday, June 21, 2010.

Among those preceded his deliverance from this life are his parents: Robert and Sadie Parker devoted wife: Leola Olivia Parker siblings: J.D. Parker, Georgia Bates, Luella Darden, Andrew, James, R.A., Chester, and Nellie Parker one son: Edgar Thomas and two grandchildren: Bobby Thomas, Jr. and Sabrina Reynolds.

Among those left to anticipate the glorious reunion at the return of our Lord are his sister: Ardelia Price of San Antonio, Texas two sons: Bobby Thomas John Foster of Birmingham, Alabama grandchildren: Marvis Brian Releford of Killeen, Texas Monica Matthew Calvin of Killeen, Texas Regina Thomas of Los Angeles, California Kina John Theivagt of Las Vegas, Nevada Cynthia Ford of Birmingham, Alabama Sidney and Willie Wright each of Birmingham, Alabama greatgrandchildren: Brian II, Thomas, Britney, Matthew, Sean, Imani, Sidney and a host of extended relatives and friends.

Visitation

HarperTalasek Chapel
506 N. 38th Street
Killeen, TX  76543
Thursday, June 24, 2010
68 pm

Service

Traditional

Marlboro Heights Missionary Baptist Church
2901 Illinois Ave.
Killeen, TX  76542
Friday, June 25, 2010
1:00 pm

Cemetery

Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
11463 State Highway 195
Killeen, TX  76542