Dr. William Rodney Parks

NEWPORT NEWS - Dr. William Rodney 'Bill' Parks passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 21, 2015. Dr. Parks was an esteemed orthodontist serving the greater Hampton Roads community for over 40 years. Dr. Parks opened his private practice in Newport News in 1978, eventually growing to Williamsburg and Smithfield. Dr. Parks was born and raised in Gaffney, South Carolina, and attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, where he met the love of his life, Sandra. Dr. Parks earned a Doctor in Dental Surgery at the Medical College of Virginia, where he was inducted into both Sigma Zeta and Omicron Kappa Upsilon science honor societies. He completed a two-year orthodontic residency at Boston University, where he earned a Master of Science in Dentistry. After two years of practicing orthodontics in the military, Dr. Parks opened his private practice on the Peninsula. Dr. Parks was a Board Certified Orthodontist and was also a distinguished member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, and the American College of Dentists. Locally, he was a fellow of the Virginia Dental Association and a past president of both the Peninsula Dental Society and the Tidewater Orthodontic Society. Outside his professional life, Dr. Parks was the past president of the Virginia War Museum. Previously, he served as the chairman of the board at St. Andrew's Episcopal School, a member of the board at Hampton Roads Academy, and a member of the Warwick Rotary. Known for his larger-than-life personality, Bill spread joy and happiness to all he met. In addition to his passion for his patients and colleagues at Parks Orthodontics, Bill could often be found in his garage, working on his collection of cars and motorcycles and a variety of other hobbies. Bill delighted in exploring the open road, traveling all over the world with his fellow car and motorcycle enthusiasts. He relished in having his family and friends gather at his home on the James River to celebrate all of life's moments or just to enjoy a quiet sunset. Those who have been fortunate enough to know Bill have lost a dear friend. He is survived by his loving wife, Sandy; as well as his three adored children and their spouses, Allison and JT Hale, Meredith and Randy Owen, and Will and Lisa Parks. Also left missing him are his precious grandchildren, Sidney and June Hale, and Trip and Hugh Parks, and his devoted golden retriever, Dandy. Bill is further survived by his mother, Myra McMillan Parks, and his sisters and brother-in-law, Lynn Evatt and Debbie and Rhobie Nowlin. He was preceded in death by his father, June Leonidas Parks. Additionally, Bill was greatly blessed with a wonderful extended family, cherished friends, and many trusted colleagues in his work, including his superb staff at Parks Orthodontics. A celebration of Bill's life will be held in the coming months. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Hampton Roads Academy, or Camp Victory Junction (www.victoryjunction.org). Arrangements are in the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.