Willard Meachem Parker

Willard, affectionately known as "Parker" by friends and family, was born November 19, 1916 in Mecklenburg County. Parker entered the Methodist Orphanage in 1922 and graduated in 1937. During that time, he played football for Needham Broughton High School between 1935-1936.

Parker met his wife, Lucille "Lucy" Pepper, at the Methodist Orphanage, and they married in 1937. He joined the Raleigh Police Department as a downtown street beat officer in 1940. Parker entered the United States Navy in 1945, serving at Bainbridge, VA for seven months as Seaman Second Class. He received an honorable discharge on November 30, 1945.

After discharge from the Navy, Parker returned to the Raleigh Police Department that same year. In 1950 he was promoted to Detective Sergeant, Identification Specialist and joined the City County Bureau of Identification (CCBI). He was Raleigh's first fingerprint identification specialist. In 1975 his title changed to Wake County Deputy Sheriff. Parker was a member of the Raleigh PD pistol team and was an accomplished marksman. He received numerous trophies during the years for his marksmanship. In 1982, Parker retired from the CCBI after 42 years of distinguished service as an expert in his field and a valued law enforcement team member. For many years he enjoyed the distinguished title of Raleigh's oldest retired police officer, for which he was very proud.

In his younger years, Parker was an avid fisherman and he and Lucy always looked forward to vacationing at their beloved Minnesott Beach, NC. He had a great love for animals and would feed the many creatures who visited his backyard, which included birds, a feral cat, raccoons, red fox, and possums. It was always a surprise to see who would show up for dinner.

Parker is survived by his daughter, Shirley Parker Rol (Mark); five grandchildren: Jennifer Jackson Anderson (Greg) of Gallatin Gateway, MT; Marianne Jackson Amsden (John) of Bozeman, MT; Mark W. Jackson (Kelly) of Jacksonville, FL; and Cheré Parker Link (Kevin) of Baker, WV., and 14 great grandchildren. Parker was predeceased by his wife, Lucille Pepper Parker; son, Willard M. Parker, Jr., daughter, Mary Jo Parker Jackson; and grandson, David A. Parker.

The family extends its love and gratitude to close friend, Rachel Turner, for her friendship and support to dad for many years and also to the friends and neighbors in the Glenwood-Brooklyn community for the many kindnesses extended to him.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 6, 2016 at Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh, at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Methodist Home for Children, 1041 Washington St, Raleigh, NC 27605.

www.brownwynne.com