William Thomas Parker, Billy, passed away on August 30, 2018. Billy was a native of Pittsboro, MS, born on November 18, 1927. He was 90 years old. He was reared in Pittsboro and was a member of Pittsboro Baptist Church. He graduated from Pittsboro High School where he was a star on the basketball team. He continued his basketball career with a scholarship to Sunflower Junior College in Moorhead, MS where his outstanding basketball record gained him Basketball Hall of Fame honors. College was interrupted by World War II and he served in the United States Army stateside until the war was over. At that time, he entered the University of Mississippi and graduated from Ole Miss in 1951 with an accounting degree. He moved to Jackson, MS in 1956 and began his life’s work as a Certified Public Accountant which culminated in his serving as State Auditor for the entire state of MS in the accounting department of the Mississippi Department of Education, School Lunch Division. He retired in 1983.
Billy was known for his strength of character, his wisdom, and his love for his family and friends. Billy enjoyed fishing on the Reservoir, working in his garden, and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Dale Parker. He was loyal in his attendance at First Presbyterian Church Jackson for over 40 years. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, James Jacob Parker and Clara Belle Philpot; his brothers, Durell Parker (Glondyne) of Pittsboro, MS and Sam Parker (Ruth) of Starkville, MS; sisters, Zenobia Long (Bill) of Memphis, TN, Lorraine Reid (Ed) of Pittsboro, MS, and Maveline Murphree (Howard) of Oxford, MS. Billy is survived by nephews, Frank Long (Annette) of Monroe, GA, Phil Murphree (Susan) of Wilmington, DE, Eddie Reid (Gretchen) of Tulsa, OK, Tommy Parker of Starkville, MS, Carol Sue Lambdin (Bill) of Maryville, TN, Wanda Reid of Oxford, MS, Lynn Parker of Starkville, MS, Laurie Parker of Starkville, MS, Nancy Parker of Starkville, MS, Frank Dale (Terri) of Southlake, TX, Christy Dale Wilson (John) of Brandon, MS and many great nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at Magee Cemetery in Magee, MS on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 11:00 am under the direction of Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS.
Memorials may be sent to the University of MS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 1848, university, MS 38677.
