Ernest William Parker

1930 - 2014

Ernest William (Bill) Parker

Bill Parker was a true Montanan. He was born in Helena, Montana on March 23, 1930, to Ethel Mundt Parker and Ernest Parker. He passed away Wednesday, October 29th, at Virginia Mason Hospital with his family by his side.

Bill was an activist, adventurer, & real people person. He felt his Creator had blessed him with so many benefits, that his role in life was to pass it forward. His entire life was devoted to helping others with his God-given talents wherever and whenever he could.

He considered his greatest achievement was asking his wife-to-be to a Demolay dance when they were juniors in high school. They went together for over 6 years before marrying in 1951 & had recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They are very blessed to have such a wonderful family; 5 children (Lori Jennings, Robert Parker, David Parker, Christie Parker, and Alison Haven); 12 grandchildren (Bobby Parker, Caitlin Parker, Caleb Parker, Ashley Parker, Zach Parker, Amber Parker, Julia Haven, Sam Haven, Myka Haven, Avalyn Haven, Tyann Jennings, and Koryn Jennings) and are also delighted to have 2 great granddaughters, Alora Parker and Kallie Parker.

Mr. Parker received a Congressional Naval Appointment

to attend Stanford University. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he completed his college training at the University of Montana, graduating in 1951. He sat for the CPA exam and became a Montana CPA that year. He started his professional accounting career with Randall & Emery in Spokane, WA and was admitted to the firm as a partner in 1954. Ultimately, the firm merged with Coopers & Lybrand, an international firm, in 1973. He was designated as Managing Partner and transferred to the Seattle office as Managing Partner. He spent the last 10 years of his professional career serving as an expert witness in the firm's litigation support services department.

During his professional career, he served as President of the Washington Society of CPAs, Chairman of the Washington State Board of Accountancy, council member of the American Institute of CPAs, Director of the National State Board of Accountancy, and Chairman of the AICPA regional trial board. Mr. Parker was a frequent speaker for the society's continuing educational programs. He also was an advisor to the University of Washington and Seattle University accounting departments.

Throughout his career, Bill was very involved with his communities. He was Chairman of the Spokane Transit Commission and Deaconess Hospital Director. He was involved with YMCA of Spokane and Seattle, Atlantic Street Center, Camp Fire, Toastmasters International, and Pacific Science Center. He was President of the Kiwanis clubs of Spokane and Seattle, first CFO of the Rainier Club, Treasurer of the Hearing Speech and Deafness Center, President of the Emerald City Club, and first Chairman of the Skyline Residents Association Finance Committee. Mr. Parker was selected by the Jaycees to be named as one of the ten outstanding young men in the state of Washington in 1963.

After retiring from public accounting, Bill served as Chairman of the Board of Sea Group International, Inc., an offshore subsidiary of a major Russian oil company, and Trust Officer for Fidelity Trust Company, a private trust company for a California family.

During his retirement years, starting in 1989, he and his wife Bev enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the world with a focus on Africa and third world countries. They traveled to every continent, 68 different countries. Their favorite place was southern Africa on safaris to observe animals in their natural habitat. Sometimes the whole family would go and their daughter Christie was often a traveling partner.

Mr. Parker was an active member of the United Methodist Church, serving as Chairman of the Board for both the Central UMC church in Spokane and the Mercer Island UMC church. For many years, he has been involved with the church's finance committee as Chairman. He also served on the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Commission on Finance and Administration.

A memorial service will be held at the Mercer Island United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 2pm with reception to follow. The family requests that anyone wishing to make a memorial gift consider one of the following: Mercer Island United Methodist Church, Atlantic Street Center, the Skyline Resident's Memorial Fund, or a charity of their own choosing. Please sign Bill's online Guest Book at www.Legacy.com.