Willie Ray Parker Sr.

Willie (Bill) Ray Parker, Sr., 78, of Benton, went to be with the Lord Saturday, May 31, 2008 at his home after a lengthy illness.

He was a Korean War Veteran and a member of the National Guard. His employment included seventeen years with Burlington Mills and ten years with Magic Chef. Mr. Parker was also a carpenter for twenty-three years. He was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where he participated in the gospel singing group for a number of years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his great-grandchildren.

Mr. Parker was the son of the late James L. Parker, Sr. and Nettie Bazzell Parker and was also preceded in death by his brother Harry Parker all of Benton.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Louise Leatherwood Parker; son Willie Ray Parker, Jr. and wife Sandra Parker of Cleveland; daughter Karen Kim and husband Kyoung Kim of Cleveland; two grandchildren Aaron Parker and wife Yvette Parker of Benton, Scott Johnson and wife Sharon Johnson of Benton; three great-grandchildren Lindsey Parker, Austin Parker, and Brodie Johnson all of Benton; two brothers James L. Parker, Jr. and wife Blanche Parker of Benton and Hubert Parker and wife Shilah Parker of Casa Grande, Arizona; three sisters Juanita Dacus of Benton, Johnnie Sue Ledwell and husband Bill Ledwell of Benton, and Mary Waters and husband Buddy Waters of Old Fort; Several nieces and nephews and host of friends also survive.

A graveside service with military honors will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at Oak Grove Cemetery with Reverend Don Whitehead officiating. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. Butch Dacus, Jimmy Parker, Doug Parker, Brian Waters, Aaron Parker, Scott Johnson, and Billy Leatherwood will serve as pallbearers. J.P. Moorehouse, Sonny McDonald, Mitchell Cronan, Don Ledford, Earl Payne, Ferrol Cramer, Bennie Leatherwood, Roy Leatherwood, and Frank Guthrie will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Monday, June 2, 2008 at the Oak Grove Baptist Church.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Parker family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com.