Walter Bennett Parrish

He is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Juanita M. Parrish, son, Walter B. Parrish, III and wife Meredith C., daughter, M. Laurin Parrish, grandchildren; Julia Parrish, Bennett Parrish and Boyd Parrish, brother-in-law, Ed Pullen, and numerous family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Margie P. Pullen.

He graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School in 1961. He earned his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1965. Dr. Parrish continued his professional training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry receiving his D.D.S in 1969 and his Post-Doctoral M.S. in 1971. Upon moving to Raleigh in 1971 he founded his own dental practice specializing in pediatric dentistry. In 1985, Dr. Parrish combined his dental practice with another pediatric dentist and two other orthodontists to form Horwitz, Pannkuk, Parrish, and Schneider, DDS. This practice was the forerunner to the practice known today as Wake Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Parrish continued to practice dentistry until 2011. Dr. Parrish was a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. As a member of the Raleigh dental community for over 38 years he and his devoted staff treated multiple generations of families.

As a recipient of the Eagle Scout Award, he learned many values that he carried with him throughout his life. He proudly demonstrated these values and his commitment to others through his service in the NC National Guard, retiring in 2003 as a Lt. Colonel.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 2:00pm, Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Rd., Raleigh. The family will receive guests in the chapel from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Military honors will be present. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownwynne.com.