05/22/2026
William Glen Parker
("Bill", "Whiskey Poppa", "WG")
February 6, 1938 - May 19, 2026
William Parker (Bill) was born on the 7th child of Orval and Ermal (Tillery) Parker on a farm 3 miles NW of Iuka, Kansas. Bill was born on the 6th of February, 1938. He grew up on this farm with his brothers and sisters. Bill attended Antrum grade school for first grade in 1944. In 1945 he was transferred to Byers grade school starting 2nd grade. Bill graduated from Byers in 1956.
Bill enlisted with the Kansas National Guard in 1956, staying active for 8 yrs. He was proud of his service, as he should be. His dad didn't want him to enlist in any of the armed forces, since all of his brothers had been fighting wars for a couple of decades. He was also a proud longtime member of the Pratt, KS, Elks Lodge.
Bill attended Pratt Junior College for awhile, majoring in billiards and women.
In September of 1957, at the Kansas State Fair, he met Deanna Vermillion, his special angel. Bill's life would change that day. They started dating in November, became engaged on December 8th and they got married on June 8, 1958, six months later. Their love story would continue for over 68 yrs. Bill and Deanna welcomed a baby girl, Rene, to their family in July of 1960. That precious little girl would gain her angel wings two years later. In July of 1963, a son, Darren, would make his debut and in August of 1968, they adopted a daughter, Stacie. After a long, hard fought battle with leukemia, Stacie joined her sister in heaven in May of 1976.
Bill farmed with his dad, drove a school bus and pumped gas at Pratt Regional Airport until he landed his dream job. He started his career with the Federal Aviation Administration in 1969. Being an avid pilot, it was a dream come true. Deanna and Bill would make their home in Olathe, KS; Pierre, SD; Prescott, AZ; Hayward, CA; Prescott, AZ, again; Las Vegas, NV; Tempe, AZ; Oklahoma City, OK; Hurst, TX; San Antonio, TX, finally retiring in 1994 in San Angelo, TX. Bill really didn't retire though, they moved back home, to Pratt, KS and he became the Manager of the Pratt Regional Airport and Industrial Park. He would retire for a second time in 2006. Bill and Deanna moved to Laughlin, NV for one year in 2011 to be closer to their son, Darren, and then would come back to Kansas in 2012. Upon their return they set-up house on Deanna's family farm, just SE of Cunningham, KS. The farm had been homesteaded by Deanna's Great Grandfather in 1880. This would end up being their final move. They had finally made it home, completing the circle of life.
Bill was an amazing artist. A passion that he would pass down to his son, Darren. He started an advertising business during the 1960s. Bill was also a pilot, taking several family members on their first plane ride. You would find Bill with a book nearby most of the time, especially in the car, while Deanna was shopping and socializing. His favorites were Western novel's, which he often shared with friends. Sitting on the front porch with Deanna, watching jets take off from Wichita and pass overhead, while enjoying a Miller Highlife, was a favorite past-time, as was a competitive game of pitch. He and Deanna loved spending time playing domino's. Every minute, of each day, was their time. They religiously had date night every week.
He also spent hundreds of hours researching the family history of his and Deanna's families, finally publishing a book based on his research.
Bill was reunited with his "Special Angel", and his precious daughters on March 19th, 2026. We all know that it was a glorious reunion. It had been two months, five days and five hours since he had last seen his beautiful wife. He missed her terribly and now they're together again for eternity.
William "Bill" Parker, is survived by his two sons, Darren Parker and Morgan Griffiths, his little girl JoJo, and grand-pups, Gunner and Koda, all of the home. He leaves behind his sister-in-law, Rita Parker of Eldorado, KS and a brother-in-law, Jack Vermillion of Newton, KS. One Aunt, Farol Tillery of Hutchinson. A God son, Garrett Briggeman of Wichita and several nephews, nieces and cousins.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife and daughters, his parents, his four brothers (Shirley "Pat", Duane, Bob, and Ramon), and two sisters (Ovaleen Post and Wanda Thompson), niece Rita Pritchett, and nephews Kenny Parker and Bill Hager. Plus several close cousins and dear friends.
Bill was the best dad that a person could ever ask for. A good friend to many and a faithful servant of God. He stood for the flag and bowed his head in prayer. Bill loved hard, long and unconditionally. He was a hopeless romantic, leaving love notes for Deanna around the house for almost 70 years. Their deep love was undeniable and envied by many. Bill will be missed terribly and loved forever. He was one of the good ones. Amen.
Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2026 at the Cunningham Christian Church. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m., to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2026 also at the Cunningham Christian Church. Burial will be in the Iuka Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to the Cunningham Museum or the Pratt B-29 Museum and made be mailed to the Livingston Funeral Home, 1830 N. Main, Kingman KS 67068.
