William N. "Bill" Parker, 70, of Yorktown passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 15, 2013 at IU Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. He was born July 16, 1942 to the late Will and Ethyl (Nix) Parker in Birmingham, Alabama. William joined the U.S. Army in 1960 retiring in 1984 after 24 years of service and achieving the rank of Command Sargeant Major. He served two tours in Vietnam and many other areas of the world receiving among many the Bronze Star with four Oakleaf clusters and the Silver Star. During his career he was assigned to the 3rd and 24th Infantry Divisions.
William began his Civil Service career in 1985 with the Department of Defense, serving another 23 years until his retirement in 2007. He worked for the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command as a civilian logistician supporting all Army Aviation Missile Systems. William was deployed in one of the first convoys to travel into Iraq from Kuwait in 2003. His service included army support to the !st Cavalry Division in Kuwait, Macedonia, Egypt, Untied Arab Emirates, Iraq, Poland, Korea, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, and Germany, where he met his wife. For his efforts in supporting soldiers in the field, as a civilian, Bill received the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Memberships include the Association of the United States Army, volunteering for the Red Cross, and actively participating in the Scottish Rite Masonry, Marshall Lodge No. 209 F & AM of Guntersville, AL.
Bill was an avid antique collector and enjoyed working on his clocks. He also enjoyed talking with neighbors and maintaining his property. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 23 years Linda K. (Hesson) Parker of Yorktown; a sister Glenis Baumgartner of Montevallo, AL; a brother Pat Cheryl) Ayres of Rainbow City, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Also left behind are Bill''s fellow street rodders whom he loved to spend time with at the cruise-ins. He was very proud of his antique car collection.
In addition to his parents Bill was also preceded in death by a sister Linda Lipscomb.
Friends may call on Saturday May 18, 2013 from 10am to 12pm with a funeral service to immediately follow at 12:00pm at the Garden View Funeral Home 10501 N. Indiana 3, Muncie.
Burial will follow in the Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie, with military graveside rites provided by the U.S. Army and the Delaware County Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post # 327 9113 West Jackson Street Muncie, IN 47304, with envelopes provided at the funeral home.
Online condolences and video tribute available at www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com