William P. "Bill" Parker

William P. Parker (Bill), beloved father, stepfather, life partner, grandfather, great grandfather, father-in-law, and friend, died peacefully on Friday, May 7, 2021. He was 91, though he liked to say he was 100.
He was born in a tiny town in North Carolina to the co-owner of a country store and a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse. When Bill was a toddler, the family moved to Sumter, SC, where his dad became co-owner of a prominent funeral home and a furniture store in the area. His mother managed the household and took care of Bill and his younger brother John.
Bill's first job was delivering newspapers. He quickly worked his way up to a major route which he kept all through high school. He liked to say he 'earned the big bucks--$20/month.' Part of every paycheck went to the Book of the Month Club, as he developed an early passion for reading that he nurtured throughout his life.
Bill graduated high school at age 16, and went on to Furman College, graduating in 1950. After college, he worked for the state welfare department, but could not make financial ends meet and was actually delighted to be drafted into the Army and stationed in England where he served for two years. His posts were in two university towns-as he told it, he 'had been to Cambridge and Oxford.' During this time, Bill got his first taste of travel, taking full advantage of the opportunity to tour Europe when he was off duty. Traveling became another passion for him, and he would eventually travel to over 50 countries in his lifetime.
After briefly working in the juvenile court system upon returning from military service, Bill realized 'I didn't really know what I was doing', and decided to study for a Master's Degree in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania, while he worked for the Pennsylvania Prison Society for two years. The MSW became the foundation for a stellar and deeply meaningful career- another of Bill's passions, and a source of much pride for him.
While studying for his MSW, Bill became friends with Hanna, a fellow social work student. After a time, they fell in love and married. Bill became a loving and devoted step-dad and father to Hanna's three children and their two sons. The household was lively as he and Hanna created their new careers, each becoming leaders in their own work settings.
Bill's leadership work included the creation of an emergency response service at the Lancaster Guidance Clinic, a community mental health center in Lancaster, PA. This program is still in operation over 50 years later. After moving back to Sumter, Bill served as Executive Director for a comprehensive mental health program for a tri-county area in South Carolina. He initiated and developed many innovative programs, including emergency services and after-hours teams-services that were especially important in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
He retired in 1992 and moved to Arizona to be close to kids and grandkids. Hanna and he enjoyed traveling and hiking, volunteering, and involvement with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix. Sadly, Hanna died in 1997. Bill was bereft, but worked hard to go on in a joyful way, as she had urged him to do.
In a miracle of good fortune, he met Betty, and together they created a 'second life' and enjoyed nearly 20 years of loving and happy partnership together. They traveled extensively and each found a new family in the other's children, partners and grandkids.
Bill was predeceased by both parents, his son John Anthony (Tony), his wife Hanna Parker, his step-son Steven Knight, his brother John Parker (Anita).
He is survived by his beloved partner Betty Sayler, his son Keyth Parker (Dawn), his step-son Kevin Knight (Tricia Kness), his step-daughter Kathryn Melamed (David), his grandsons Mark Melamed (Amelia Hogan) and Michael Melamed (Nathalia), great-grandchildren Hanna, Max, and Isabel. (By his request, they called him GrandBill!)…and countless extended family, colleagues, and friends.
William P. Parker was a kind, principled, funny, generous Southern gentleman. He was a man of limitless courage and constant encouragement to those around him. He was soft spoken and humble. He was a wonderful listener and when asked, he consistently provided thoughtful guidance. He was always available to anyone in need. We will forever remember his awesome birthday cakes, hand-illustrated greeting cards, annual reading of The Polar Express, dates at the opera, detailed description and critique of whatever book he was reading, quick wit and occasional sarcasm, picturesque tales of his travel adventures, long hugs during our family's famous long good-byes, and a sparkling appreciation of children.
We will always be grateful for the expertise, kindness, and support given to him and to our family by the teams at Friendship Village Healthcare Center and Hospice of the Valley. A celebration of Bill's life is pending-perhaps on his birthday in September when we can enjoy outside weather again. If you are moved to donate in his honor, please choose a cause that you are passionate about. Three of Bill's favorites were the Southern Poverty Law Center, Doctors Without Borders and Planned Parenthood.
Visit the online guest book at www.obits.azcentral.com