William "Bill" Wayne Parker

William W. Parker “Bill” was born May 1, 1929 in Yakima, WA to Platt H. and Lola Parker. He always claimed his birth caused the stock market collapse of "29." He grew up in the Brownstown/White Swan area where he shared many fond and humorous stories of his exploits around the area. Bill started working at an early age on the farm and was proud of his past and how people pulled together during tough times of the depression. Bill talked fondly of his times riding his horse, Token, returning wandering cattle off the reservation back to the ranch. Bill graduated from White Swan High School in 1947 and married the love of his life, Yvonne (Dot) Woods on September 24, 1947. From that union they had six children: William P “Nip” (Linda) Parker, Wayne E. “Tuck” Parker, Kim Parker, Marion (Jim) Espinoza, Robin (Jim) Sandino, Kirk (Terry) Parker. After he and Dot were married they moved to Yakima, and Bill worked chasing auto parts and was a Parts Manager for several large auto dealerships. Six children later he decided he needed a better paying job and started college. He graduated with a Masters Degree in Counseling from Central Washington University in 1968 and began putting in many years, hours, blood, sweat and tears to achieve and build a legacy in the field of education. He began as a school counselor at Wapato Junior High. Bill then started the Pace Alternative School in Wapato and was Principal for one year. He was Wapato Junior High Principal for two years and moved on to be the Superintendent at Mount Adams School District for nine years. Bill was proud of his efforts in revitalization of the school district's facilities and curriculum. After retirement in1989, he was called back twice as acting Principal at White Swan. Bill and Dot retired to Lake Chelan in 1989. For 20 years, they spent winters in Casa Grande, AZ, playing, traveling and having fun enjoying life and people - everyone was a friend. Bill was always there to help people. Everyone recognized his kind and caring heart and personality and opened themselves to him. Wherever he went there was laughter from a quick wit or mischievous opportunity. He poured all his love into family and friends. Over the years Bill and Dot found the love of hundreds of kids who called them "mom and dad, ma and pa, and grandma and grandpa". Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, six children and their spouses, sister Florence Armstrong, and brother Platt (Barbara) Parker. He also has 16 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by sister Frieda Bariault, his parents, and brother-in-law Don Armstrong. Services will be held at Keith and Keith Chapel at Terrace Heights on Friday December 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. A reception will follow with burial committal at 1:00 p.m. at Tahoma Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made under the name of William Parker to the Memorial Foundation for the Memorial Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at 16th Ave. Station, 1470 N. 16th Ave., Yakima W A 98902. To share a memory, visit www.mem.com.