Charles Willis Parker

Charles W. Parker was born in San Antonio, Texas to Margie and Weldon Wayne Sr. on February 6, 1956. Surrounded by his four older siblings—Weldon, Peggy, Bruce, and Jimmy—Charles grew up fast. Yet he was happy to soon have the arrival of a little brother, Douglas.

The Parker clan was well known in the Robert E. Lee High School area, which is ironic since Charles preferred to do his learning outside of school. As a teen, he thrived on having multiple jobs at all hours of the day. He told stories of doing any task available for the Wolff family’s business, Alamo Enterprise Building Materials.

Wanting to follow in his older siblings’ footsteps, Charles joined the military in 1973 and enlisted in the Navy. His duty station was aboard the USS Wabash (AOR-5) until 1975. He often told stories of his time at sea and about the exotic destinations he experienced in the Philippines. He managed to escape the Navy without a tattoo, but cursing like a sailor remained.

During the late 70s and early 80s, he worked as a manager at Texas Screw Products in Houston, Texas. He soon married Ann, and they welcomed their daughter, Natalia.

Charles, his wife, and their daughter, then moved to San Antonio. Just a couple of years later, their son Matthew was born and brought to their fixer-upper home in the then-rural area of North Bexar County. This house would be a labor of love as Charles spent weekends renovating, expanding, and improving their home over the next 40-something years.

Charlie Parker, as he was known by some, was a dedicated employee of MG Building Materials for the past 41 years. Over the decades of his employment there, he made a lasting impact on his coworkers, customers, vendors, and many industry partners due to his strong leadership, persistence, loyalty, wisdom, and “everything is figureoutable attitude.” His knowledge of operations in the lumber industry was second to none, and he will always be a part of MG.

When Charles wasn’t at work, he was finding ways to support his two grandchildren, Parker and Emersyn, by helping them pursue their dreams and passions.

Charles had experienced loss before, including his dear friend and boss, Larry Grothues, as well as his own brothers, Jimmy and Weldon. But no loss was greater than that of his son, Matthew, in June of 2003. We are comforted in knowing that they are all now reunited.

Charles is survived by his wife, Ann; step-daughter, Amie; daughter, Natalia; son-in-law, Ryan Hill; grandson, Parker; granddaughter, Emersyn; sister, Peggy; brothers, Bruce and Douglas; many sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles’s EARLY morning phone calls and willingness to ALWAYS help will be forever missed.

Service:

A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North, San Antonio.

Attendees are invited to speak and share their favorite Charles Parker memory.