William David Parker

Arizona.com 2/11/2003

William David Parker, of El Mirage, AZ crossed over to the other side to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on February 9, 2003 at Del Webb Mem-orial Hospital in Sun City West, AZ.

William was born January 14, 1942 to Nealie Mae and George Lendell Parker in Hayneville, Alabama. William accepted the Lord at an early age; was active in church teaching Sunday School and was a Sunday School Superintendent.

He attended Central High School in Hayneville upon graduating from High School; he attended Alabama State University on a football scholarship for one semester.

He met and married Nellie Ann Corbin and to this union 5 children were born.

Billy's baseball career begins in 1968. Billy played baseball in Quad City, Iowa and Double A Ball with El Paso Sun Kings and Triple A Ball with Salt Lake City Angels. The Angels won the PCL Championship in 1971, and he was called up to the California Angels in 1972; where he played until 1973.

The Yankees bought his contract in 1974, he played in the minor league in Syracuse, New York until 1976. Hampered by injuries, major knee surgery and a broken leg, he was released in 1976. He played winter ball in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

He quit baseball in 1976 and went to work for Electrical Equipment Company in Phoenix, AZ, where he worked for 8 years until they moved to Texas.

In 1977 he met Dortha Groves and they were married January 3, 1981, they recently celebrated their 22nd Wedding Anniversary. 1984 he went into the construction business with Randy Gray, building custom homes.

In October 1987 he went to work for the City of Surprise as a part time, Dial-A-Ride driver and part-time Parks & Rec Supervisor. He took over the Youth T-ball program that was being run by the Maricopa Parks & Rec. Dept.

He started the youth machine pitch baseball league for children ages 7 to 9 and regular pitch baseball ages 10 to 13. He added Basketball, Football, Soccer, Volleyball and the Summer Recreation program to the youth program.

He eventually started the adult's sports program. Administrative duties didn't allow him to be directly involved with the sports program. He stepped down as Director of Parks & Rec., and became the Adult Sports Coordinator; the position he held until his illness forced him to retire.

The City of Surprise honored him for his accomplishments with the naming of the baseball field in the Surprise Stadium; The Billy Parker Field. The field was dedicated December 6, 2002.

Preceded in death by twin sons, step-father, step-brothers, and paternal grandparents.

Billy is survived by his wife of 22 years Dortha D. Parker, 4 sons William David Marcus Parker, Will Anthony Parker, William David Parker Jr., and John Lamar Anderson. 5 daughters Tammie (Delvin) Smythe, Tonia (Rusty) Johnston, Patricia (Henry) Guess, Wynee Parker and Alisa Calhoun. His mother Nealie Mae Gordon, brothers; Robert (Francis) Parker, Willie (Wilma) Parker, 23 grand-children and expecting his first great-grandchild in April. Mother-in-law Alice Groves, sister-in-laws & brother-in-laws; Barbara & Rudy White, Carolyn Johnson, George Thomas, Lee Edward Groves and Charles & Jocelyn Groves, foster son/nephew Treshon Salwinsti Thomas Taylor. A host of relatives, friends and special friends; Al & Maryann Schmeltz, Pat & Sara Grimes, Butch & Christine Randolph, Lee & Jan Marshall, Delbert & Janiene Salazar, & Elby Bushong.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to The Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 15667 N. Jerry St., Surprise, AZ 85335, Building Fund in care of Deacon Larry Robinson.