William P. Parrish

William Parker Parrish passed away peacefully at home on December 5, 2022 with his daughter Suzanne and son-in-law Stephen Mosher by his side. Born in Norborne, Missouri, he was blessed with 100 well lived years. Growing up in small town America during the Great Depression, he participated in many school activities and achieved the Eagle Scout designation. Parker’s strong family and midwestern values guided him throughout his life.

Prior to WWII, he attended Central Methodist University where he met the love of his life, Jacqueline Borg Parrish. Parker’s college days were cut short by the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the Army spending 2 ½ years in the Pacific Theatre becoming a Staff Sergeant and Purple Heart recipient. He completed his service on an after-action patrol surveying the atomic bomb destruction in Hiroshima, Japan. Jackie was waiting for him when he returned and they were married for 71 years until her passing in 2018.

Parker completed his education at the University of Missouri earning a BS in Business Administration and was a proud member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. As he began his professional career, he and Jackie had two children, William Parker Parrish, Jr. and Suzanne Parrish Mosher. He spent 30 years with Carter Wallace Corporation rising from a Regional Salesman in Overland Park, KS, Western Division Manager in Newport Beach, CA and to Vice President of National Consumer Sales in Lawrenceville, NJ.

Upon retirement, they settled in Laguna Niguel, CA where he and Jackie enjoyed Mission Viejo Country Club, spending time with Suzanne and her family in Newport Beach, numerous visits with Bill and his family in Texas, and everything California had to offer. Parker cherished his family and was loved and admired by his children and their spouses Paula Parrish and Stephen Mosher, grand children Holly Parrish, Robin Hume, Michael Mosher, and great grandchildren Jack and Oliver Hume.

We are grateful for his love, strength of character, guidance and generosity. Parker was a humble force of nature to the end and through God’s grace, we know that he is peacefully at home with the Lord. He will be laid to rest in the summer of 2023 at Pacific View Cemetery in Newport, Beach.