Mr. Willie L Parker

Willie L. Parker was born to the late Margeree McKellar in December 1941.

Willie was educated in the Pinellas County public school system. He graduated from Pinellas High School in 1963, where he played football and served as class treasurer. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Physical Education from Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama. Willie also served as treasurer for his local Tuskegee Alumni Club. During his graduate studies at Tuskegee University, he met his "favorite lady", Sarah, whom he later married in 1975. Willie and Sarah celebrated their golden anniversary in June of 2025.

Willie educated the minds and touched the hearts of children Pre-K through grade 6 at North Ward Elementary, South Ward Elementary (now the Clearwater Historical Society), Palmetto Elementary School, Anona Elementary School, and Ozona Elementary School for 32 years. He loved and enjoyed preparing future generations for a successful life. He counseled and mentored youth at the Clearwater Martin Luther King community center for over 20 years.

As a faithful member of Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, Clearwater, he served in the following ministries: Finance, Mass Choir, Male Chorus, and Sons of Allen. As a devoted servant in his community, he used his residential real estate entrepreneurship to provide affordable housing for over 45 years.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Gloria McKellar Cox and Reesie Gardner. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife Sarah D. Parker, son James P. Parker, sisters Annie Doris Mills and Shirley McKellar Cotton, nieces Dr. Keturah N. Mills, Angelique Hamilton, Carletda Daniels, and Gretchen Elliot, nephew Andrew Gardner, and a host of family and friends.

A visitation will be held at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, located at 2853 Sunset Point Rd, Clearwater, FL 33759, on November 1, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will follow at the same venue from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

A Graveside Service will also take place at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home from 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm on the same day.