William Norman "Bill" Parker

Funeral services for William Norman “Bill” Parker, 98, of Tulsa, OK, were held Monday, September 18, 2023, at Skiatook Church of Christ in Skiatook, OK. Reverend Russell Hill officiated, and burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery in Sperry, OK. Casket bearers were Tom Fees, Roger Campbell, Jake Parker, Jared Parker, Dustin Maxwell, and Larry Barnes.

Bill was born November 1, 1924, in Torrance, CA, in a tent, to Guy Irvin Parker and Susie Irene (Folsom) Parker. He passed away September 11, 2023, in Tulsa, OK.

Bill’s family moved from California back to Oklahoma where he and his three brothers and two sisters, grew up in and around the Folsom, Melton and Latham areas. At the age of 18, Bill enlisted in the US Army and served as a Technical Sergeant during World War II. While serving with the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, he was part of the first wave and the first man to land on the “Easy Green” area of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. For his service, he was awarded 2 Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and the French Legion Medal of Honor. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945.
Bill met the love of his life, Colleen, at the mailbox one afternoon in 1940 and the two were married on December 12, 1945. Together, they had two children, Keith and Brenda, who passed away shortly after she was born. Bill and Colleen had been married for more than 73 years when Colleen passed away in 2018.

Bill worked for many years as a carpenter and his most recent employment was with Sun Oil Company until he retired. In November 2010, he officially received his high school diploma from McCurtain High School, 67 years after leaving school to enlist in the military.
Bill was a member of the Choctaw Nation and was very proud of his Native American heritage. He was also a proud member of the VFW Post 577 in Tulsa, OK. He loved training, riding, breaking horses, bull riding, and anything to do with horses. Bill never slowed down. He was still doing everything at the age of 98 that he was doing when he was age 50. Bill is now reunited with the love of his life in Heaven, but he will be greatly missed by his family and friends here on Earth.

He is survived by his son, Keith Parker and wife, Patti; grandchildren, Jake Parker and wife, Melissa, Jessie Maxwell and husband, Dustin; Jared Parker and wife, Michelle, and Jakki Salyer; great-grandchildren, Jayci Parker, Blakely Parker, Kylee Maxwell, Kennedy Maxwell, Barrett Parker, Blazi Parker, and Stoan Salyer; brother, Robert Parker and wife, Carol; sisters, Helen White and Betty Carter; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Colleen Parker; daughter, Brenda Parker; parents, Guy and Susie Parker; and brothers, Jim Parker and Guy Parker, Jr.

Memorial donations in Bill’s memory may be mailed to The Coffee Bunker, 6365 E. 41st St., Tulsa, OK 74135, or at coffeebunker.org/tribute-donations

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.