William Parker

Obituary for William H. Parker Jr.

1939-2024

William H. Parker Jr. (Billy), age 84, of Santa Fe, NM, died on Saturday, March 30, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend, June Oliver Parker; his sister Carolyn Parker Yelverton and brother Jack Shannon Parker (Connie); daughter, Jennifer Shea Peine (Stephen) of Martinsville, IN and son, Chad Hunter Parker (Emily) of Lafayette, LA, and grandchildren Clare Agnes and Aric William Peine.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents William H. Parker and Isabelle Thompson Parker.

Born in Natchez, MS, he attended Natchez High School where he participated in a number of athletic activities, lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and tennis. After graduation, he attended General Motors Institute as an engineering co-op student while working for Allison Gas Turbine, a division of General Motors Corporation located in Indianapolis, IN.  He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and continued his engineering studies at Louisiana State University graduating in 1964 with an MS degree in Engineering Mechanics. He took a permanent position with Allison Gas Turbine from which he retired in 1992 with 35 years of service.

Mr. Parker’s working career went through various stages. His early engineering activities involved designs aimed at developing optimized solid propellant missiles and he later applied his high speed rotor dynamics expertise to developing jet engine designs requiring supercritical shafting. He subsequently served in a management capacity as Chief of Small Engine Design and Head of Engineering Mechanics design activity.

After retiring, he moved back to Natchez, MS and worked dealing blackjack aboard a Mississippi riverboat for a short while and started a long term volunteer effort with AARP TaxAide. It was during this time that he and June spent time together and were married in 1998. He lived part-time in Natchez and Santa Fe, NM until 2008 when he moved permanently to Santa Fe and continued his volunteer work with AARP TaxAide.

At Billy’s request, no memorial service will be held but he asked for prayers that LSU beats Alabama. He wished to have his ashes strewn about the flower beds.