William Ralph Parker Jr.

William Ralph Parker, Jr. (Bill) died March 30, 2017. Bill, 71, was born in Anderson, SC on May 21, 1945. He was the son of the late Mary White and Ralph Parker of Hartwell, GA.

Bill grew up in Hartwell and graduated from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University with an MBA degree. Bill also completed the Finance Graduate program at Rutgers University. He served in Vietnam as a captain in the US Army, where he was awarded the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and several other commendations.

Bill returned to live in Atlanta, GA as an employee of the Trust Company of Georgia. In 1972, he and his family moved to St. Simons Island where he worked with Trust Company Bank, (renamed SunTrust) and later founded Sapelo National Bank in Darien, GA.

Bill was former Chairman and Director Emeritus of the Coastal Area District Development Authority serving all coastal Georgia counties. He was past chairman of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce; past chairman, Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority and former chair of the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority.

He was awarded the distinguished AW Jones Award by the Chamber.

A true Bulldog fan, Bill loved the Dawgs, and the state of Georgia. He remembered everyone he met, and had a special affinity for details of the War Between the States, and those who served our country.

He is survived by daughter Christy Parker, Brunswick GA; son Trey Parker, St. Simons Island, GA; sister Betsy Wray, Raleigh, NC and brother Wayne Parker, Eugene, OR; nephews Chad Davis, Peachtree Corners, GA and Will Davis, Forsyth, Ga; Kellen Parker, New York, NY and nieces Julia Parker, Boston, MA and Sarah Parker, Eugene, OR.

A private burial will be held on St. Simons Island.

Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Carpathia Paws Animal Rescue, 1440 Airport Road, Hinesville, GA 31313 or to Boys Club of SE Ga, 2102 Albany Street, Brunswick, GA 31520