William James Parks

William graduated from Historic Manual Training High School in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He served in the U.S. Army and did one tour of duty in Korea. He moved to Portland, Oregon in 1966. He married Thelma D. Conard.

He worked for Thompson’s Cabinet Shop as a kitchen cabinet maker; Larry Miller Body Shop as an ambulance builder; AAA Ambulance as an emergency medical technician and mechanic; AMR Ambulance as a mechanic; and ATC Vancom / Penske – Trimet Lift Bus as a mechanic / floor supervisor. He retired from Penske in 2010. After retirement he continued to do his scrap metal recycling business until his health failed.

William loved bowling, playing pool and dominoes.

William is preceded in death by his Mother, Father, and three Brothers – Clifford Matthew, Joe Edward, and Tony Ray.

William leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Thelma of 57 years; Foster Son Samuel D. Smith; Cousins Fred (Phint) Gross, and Jonathan Gross of Oklahoma; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-law, Perline Boyattia-Craig (Samuel) of Oklahoma, Sylena Wilkes of Oregon, Wanda Gill (Eddie) of Oklahoma, Jessica Conard of Washington, and Gary Conard (Lesley) of Oregon; Nephews and Nieces, Ralph E. Boyattia of Oklahoma, George B. Wilkes II, Christopher Jones of Oregon, Eric Gill (Kendra) and Jerell Gill of Oklahoma, Salina O. Parks, Spencer, Dominique, Carmina Moore and Courtney of Oregon, Journie Conard, G’Von Conard, Taylor Ford, Kristen N. Kennedy, Deasia Kennedy, Sylena Kennedy, Saniya Kennedy and Heru all of Oregon, and Emyr Gill and Emani Gill of Oklahoma; along with many other relatives and friends.

He will be truly missed.