Billy Lynn Parker, age 92, of Hermitage, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. He was born on June 12, 1933, in Morris Chapel, TN. Billy worked for the Tennessee Highway Patrol and then for the Jackson – Madison County General Hospital.
Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army after his first year at the University of Tennessee Martin. He served as a Specialized Radio Transmission Officer during the Korean War and was later stationed in Okinawa, Japan. After Honorable Discharge, Bill returned home to Tennessee to begin his career with Tennessee Highway Patrol, where he attained the rank of Major. After retiring from the THP, he became part of the West TN Healthcare Center Security and Safety Department. In 2002, Bill retired again and moved with his wife Mary to Hermitage, TN to be near family.
Bill served on the Hermitage United Methodist Church’s Board of Trustees. For over 18 years, he and his good friend, John Roberts, maintained the landscaping for the two campuses. He loved serving with Room in the Inn, double bagging the FUEL bags, and being an active member of the Cornerstone and Anti-Can’t Sunday School Classes. Bill was a sports fan, but he especially loved the Tennessee Volunteers and the St. Louis Cardinals. He was an active outdoorsman, who loved training dogs for quail hunting. Fishing and golfing were two of his favorite hobbies. Most of all Bill loved his family, especially his two grandsons.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William K. Parker and Ree Hopper Parker and his wife of 67 years Mary Parker. He is survived by son Joey Parker (Ann Stevenson) of Old Hickory, TN; by his grandchildren, Stevenson A. Parker and William "Will" H. Parker.
There will be a visitation for Bill on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 535 Shute Ln, Old Hickory, TN 37138 with an additional visitation time on Friday September 5, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Hermitage United Methodist Church, 205 Belinda Drive, Hermitage, TN 37076. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM with Rev. Jimmy Hendricks officiating. Kevin Owen, Darrell Howell, Mike Eller, Dr. David Wilder, Warren Cooksey and Chris Sullivan will serve as Pallbearers. John Roberts, Melvin Hammer, Mike Terry, Dr. Don Cox, Rick Underwood, Harold Johnson, Bruce Long, Charles Gattis, Dr. Doug Phillips, Joe Garafola, Mike Malzone, and Brian Hancock will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
Following the service, a Committal and Burial will be held at approximately 3:00 PM at the Morris Chapel Cemetery in Morris Chapel, TN, 8880 Coffee Landing Road, Morris Chapel, TN 38361.
In lieu of Flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Hermitage United Methodist Church, 205 Belinda Drive, Hermitage, TN 37076. www.humc.org
Fond memories, words of comfort and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Parker family at www.HermitageFH.com
