Obituary of John "Bill" Parker

PARKER - Mr. Bill Parker of Yorkton, beloved husband of Peggy Parker passed away Thursday, November 4th, 2016 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. John William George Parker, or "Bill" as he was more affectionately known, was born on October 4, 1940 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan; a son of John Henry "Jack" and Dorothy (nee Lockhart) Parker. Bill had a happy upbringing with his three siblings Bette Lou Hagen, Pat Slessor and Joe Parker. Bill had many loves growing up including playing the piano, enjoying hockey with his friends, animals and talking about cars. As a youngster, he was in cubs and then later joined the sea cadets. Bill loved sharing about the three months he spent on a destroyer in Asia during his Grade 12 year with the sea cadets. Bill was a great big brother and loved playing tricks on his two little sisters. Many Saturday afternoons during the winter were spent skating with his siblings at the old arena while his dad did the books. As a teenager Bill's love of cars continued and he especially enjoyed cruising with his friends around town in his white convertible Austin Healey. As a family, they spent summer vacations golfing, swimming and horseback riding at Clear Lake. If you ever needed to find Bill he would have been at the roller rink, golf course or having a thick chocolate milkshake at Meldrum's. Cruising around the lake one night he stopped at the Wigwam where he met his future wife Peggie. Bill graduated from Yorkton Collegiate Institute in 1958. He then followed in his father's footsteps by graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce 1963 and then received his designation of Charted Accountant in 1966. Shortly after graduation, Bill joined his father working at Parker Quine and Company and became a partner in the firm in 1969. For forty-eight years Bill loved meeting and working with his clients in the Yorkton area and took over many of his father's clients upon J.H.'s retirement. On July 24th 1965, Bill was united in marriage to Peggie Clark in Brandon, Manitoba. Shortly thereafter, they started their family and had three children, Bob, Jacki-Lyn and Jason. Bill was a dedicated father and very involved in their lives. He never passed up an opportunity to go for a ride in one of Bob's helicopters, help mark exams and assignments for Jacki-Lyn, and travel to and volunteer time at Jason's speed skating events. As a family, they enjoyed carrying on the family traditions of spending summers at Clear Lake and going to the Saskatchewan Roughrider games (even through the rough years) and watching them together on television. Bill retired in 2007 and was able to enjoy eight years escaping the Saskatchewan winters to sunny Arizona. He enjoyed the warm weather, time with family and friends, golfing, walking and Peggie's amazing cooking. A new, even softer side of Bill came with the arrival of his grandchildren, Shelby and Kayden. He never missed an opportunity to give a big "bear hug" from "Pappa" and you could always see his eyes light up when they entered the room. The sheer entertainment value of watching the grandchildren play around resulted in loads of his big booming belly laughs. He loved going for walks with them, being the race car track for Kayden to drive his cars on, watching them sing and dance, listening to Shelby learn to read and Kayden's non-stop talking. Pappa's beautiful blue eyes will live on in them and all our hearts. Bill was taken from us on Thursday Nov 4th, 2016 at the Yorkton Hospital from pancreatic cancer that had spread into his liver and kidneys. He handled the end with grace and dignity, surrounded by family. He had just celebrated his 76th birthday one month earlier. Bill was predeceased by his parents, John Henry and Dorothy. Bill leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Peggie of Yorkton, three children: son, Bob of Yorkton; daughter, Jacki-Lyn of Cochrane, AB; and son, Jason (Kristen) and their children Shelby and Kayden of Millarville, AB.; his two sisters, Bette Lou (Cec) Hagen of Gabriola Is, BC and Pat (Al) Slessor of Calgary, AB; one brother, Joe (Gloria) Parker of Saskatoon, SK; his brother and sister in laws, Trudie Murray, Sharon Daoust, Bruce Clark (Karen), Dale Clark (Debbie), David Clark (Patty) and Bill Clark (Wanda); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Rev. Nancy Brunt of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Kamsack officiating. An Instrumental Recessional was provided by Ben Parker. The organist, Shani Apland accompanied in the musical selections, 'In the Garden', 'Just as I am' and 'How Great thou Art'. Tributes and Words of Remembrance were shared by Bob, Jacki-Lyn and Jason Parker, Joe Parker and Yvonne Strocen. The readings were given by sister in law, Trudie Murray and niece, Kristi Torwalt. The interment will take place in the Garden of Memories at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Bob, Jacki-Lyn and Jason Parker as the urnbearers. Memorials in memory of Bill may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Yorkton S.P.C.A or to the Canadian Olympic Foundation as gifts of remembrance. Service Information Tuesday, November 8th, 2016 2:00pm, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre Interment Details Garden of Memories, Yorkton Memorial Gardens Cemetery