Obituary of William Parker

B I O G R A P H Y PARKER: William "Willie" Arthur Parker passed away in the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at the age of 77 years. The funeral service for Willie was conducted from the Kitscoty Elementary School on Saturday, October 23, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Bob Aldrich officiating. A eulogy was given by Kathleen Flaman. A solo "In The Garden," was sung by Elaine Allen. Hymns sung were "How Great Thou Art," and "Amazing Grace," accompanied on the organ by Donna Eyben. Honorary pallbearers were all those in attendance. Active pallbearers were: Larry Paul, Wayne Paul, Jim Paul, Paul Biever, Gord Thiel and David Sand. Interment followed in the Kitscoty Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy for Willie Parker Given by: Kathleen Flaman We are here today to remember the life of William Arthur Parker, known to some as Willie and to some as Bill, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, papa, brother as well as “friend” to many who knew him. Willie was born at home on the farm on July 25, 1927. His parents were John and Edith Parker. He was the third oldest of their five children. He took all his schooling at Thomasville School, just a mile down the road from the farm. Over the years Willie has shared with the family many entertaining and fond memories of his school days. Willie’s father passed away in 1946 so his brother and sister worked very hard with their mother, to keep the farm going. Willie and his brother Harold farmed together for many years. About thirty years ago, both Donald and Raymond joined their farming operation, and together they all worked side by side. Harold passed away in 1994. Donald’s son is now making his life on the farm, making it a 4th generation farm. Farming was a big part of Willie’s life. Farming methods have seen many changes during his lifetime, and he was always eager to progress with the times. He always said there was “No sense in going backwards”. He farmed all his life and made many lifetime friends. Willie is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Dot. Four children - Donald and his wife Judy and their children, Jody and special friend Brian; Bradly and his wife Colleen and their daughter Emily; Marie and her husband Raymond Beek and their son Kevin and his wife Erin; Raymond and his wife Wendy, and their son Kyle; Betty and her husband Mason Eyben and their daughters Lisa and Amy; one sister Edith and her husband Albert Paul and their families; sister-in-law: Kathleen Flaman and family and brother-in-law: Joe Hay and family. In his early years Willie loved to play softball on the Thomasville team. He played 3rd base and brother Harold was pitcher. Neighbouring friends were also on the team and Willie always said “As long as you had good people on bases, outfielders didn’t matter as much, because most people didn’t hit it out there anyway!” He married the love of his life, Dot on June 30, 1953. I was told they came home early from their honeymoon so that Willie could play ball at the Earlie Picnic. Willie and Dot started building their life together. Four children soon came along and their family was complete. The family enjoyed many summer holidays together, first in the tent, then later in their holiday trailer, whenever they went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Hay in Victoria. Willie curled for many years and enjoyed the game so much that the family often travelled to Nelson, BC in the summer so they could play in the Mid-Summer Bonspiel there. He passed on the love of the game to the family, and they now are passing it on to their children. Each year once harvest was over, he looked forward to his annual hunting trips to Edson with his “hunting buddies”. Once the family left home - Willie and Dot decided to expand their travelling and took a Caribbean Cruise and a few trips to Hawaii, and also a trip to Alaska. The last sixteen years he enjoyed the winter months in Apache Junction, Arizona meeting many new friends. He traded in his curling shoes for golf clubs and would go for a round at any opportunity. Another pastime he continued in Arizona was playing pool. I’m sure most people didn’t know that he had a pool table at home, where he played over the years with the kids and grandkids. “Pool Shark” was soon his title at the Bonita Vista Park Pool Room. He liked to call it “his office” and often would find just about any excuse to go there - like taking the household garbage out to the dumpster - which just happened to be beside the Pool Room. He will be missed by friends in the park. As you know he could fix anything and his nickname was “Mr. Fix-It”. Willie especially enjoyed and looked forward to the family visiting at their winter home. He was a steady, hard working man, sharing his skills, knowledge, and work ethic-passing them on to his family. He worked hard and played hard. I could always get a chuckle from him when I teased him about being a “3A Farmer”. At first he didn’t know what I meant. I said “You know - April, August and Arizona!!” I’d like to close with this poem. His Journey’s Just Begun Don’t think of him as gone away, His journey’s just begun, This earth is only one... Just think of him as resting, From the sorrows and the tears In place of warmth and comfort Where there are no days or years. Think how he must be wishing That he could know today How nothing but our sadness Can really pass away. And think of him as living In the hearts of those he touched... For nothing loved is ever lost- And he was loved so much. He will be sadly missed and be forever in our hearts. Thank you for coming today. Card of Thanks The family wishes to thank the Dr’s and nurses in Emergency at the Lloydminster Hospital, the air team, also the Dr’s and nurses in Emergency and ICU at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for the love and compassionate care given. Thank you to Joanell Ranger and Bernie Woodkey for their generous hospitality and support while we were in Edmonton. The family would also like to thank Reverend Bob Aldrich for officiating at the service, Donna Eyben for the beautiful music, Elaine Allen for her solo, Kathleen Flaman for giving the eulogy and also the pallbearers. We would also like to thank the Kitscoty Community and District Hall Fund Committee for preparing and serving lunch and for setting up the gym, also those who brought sandwiches and squares for the lunch. A special thank-you to all the friends, neighbours and family who helped in any way possible with the harvest. The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, support, cards, flowers, food and donations. Thank you to Dale McCaw and all the staff at McCaw Funeral Service. Your professional, caring and understanding manner helped us greatly at a very difficult time. In lieu of thank you cards a donation will be made to the Kitscoty Community and District Hall Fund. Dorothy Parker and families