James Willard Parnell, Sr.

He passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Louisville, Kentucky.

Willard was born on September 6, 1928 to his parents Maddie Hill & Emmett Parnell. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great - grandfather, great - great - grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

He was a devout Christian and a Deacon at his church. He lived by the word of God. He loved to garden, travel, fly model airplanes, he could watch old Westerns repeatedly and never got tired of them, and he loved spending time in the country where he grew up.

Willard was an Army Veteran serving his country and fought in the Korean War. He retired from GE Appliances after 36 dedicated years. His youthful self couldn't retire completely so he worked several part - time jobs, he got his CDL and drove a semi-truck over the county for several years and worked for Mr. P Express before truly retiring at the age of 91.

Willard is preceded in death by his son, Barry Parnell; grandson, Nicholas Parnell; brother, Jesse Parnell; and brother Stanley Parnell.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Martha (Stone) Parnell; sons, Rodger (Frances) Parnell, Jim (Trish) Parnell, Mark Parnell; & daughter, Gloria (Billy) Underwood. He was blessed with many grandchildren, great - grandchildren and great - great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and siblings; sister, Del Westerfield; brothers, Harmon (Nancy) Parnell, Allan (Bunny) Parnell & Lewis (Eleen) Parnell.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Dignity Chapel of the Evergreen Funeral Home. Willard will be laid to rest with Military Honors in the Mausoleum of the Garden of Flowers of the Evergreen Cemetery & Garden Mausoleums with Barry Parnell, II, Travis Parnell, Dustin Parnell, Devan Parnell, Brian Handy & Evan Stewart serving as Pallbearers. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the Funeral Hour of 2:00 p.m. also at the Evergreen Funeral Home