William J. "Wild Bill" Parker

William Joseph "Wild Bill" Parker, 70, of Grabill, Indiana, died Monday, July 21, 2025, as a result of an auto accident on U.S. 6 East and the Noble/DeKalb County Line near Kendallville. He was born March 20, 1955, in Kendallville, Indiana, to Joseph and Janice (Blech) Parker. In 2009, he married Cynthia Beitz. Bill worked for Inspiration Ministries in Butler in recovery peer support and as a house manager. He honorably served in the U.S. Army. He attended The Refuge Community Church in Butler, Independent Full Gospel Church in Ashley, and Grabill Missionary Church in Grabill. Bill served on the Apple Festival of Kendallville committee for many years and also did prison ministry. He enjoyed riding his Harley and spending time with family. But, his greatest love was for Jesus and sharing the good news of the Gospel to everyone he met. Surviving are his wife, Cynthia Parker of Auburn; three daughters, Ashley (Christopher Dieterle) Holliday of Kendallville, Marjorie (Michael) Cohen of Butler, and Leighann Carper of LaOtto; three sons, Isaac (Jill) Fox of Ligonier, Garrison (Jeremiah Tackett) Beitz of Auburn, and Isaah (Erica Warren) Carper of Auburn; 14 grandchildren, Kathy (Jerry) Hart, Benjamen (Kayle) Holliday, Taylor Holliday, Rachel Gillhouse, Molly Holliday, Marley Becker, Kingston Cohen, Serenity Herendeen, Jazlyn Herendeen, Ayden Ellis, Madison Manns, Preston Neuman, Alexis Debaillie, and Liam Parker due August 3rd; and two great-grandchildren, Deja Holliday and Matthew Hart. He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Joseph and Madeline Parker; his mother and stepfather, Janice and Wally Smith; his wife, Kathy Parker; a son, Jarod Parker, a daughter, Valerie Parker; and a sister, Teresa Ade. Visitation will be Monday, July 28, 2029, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Refuge Community Church, 173 West Oak Street, Butler. Bill's funeral service will be Monday, July 28, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the church with Pastor Courtney Knerr officiating. Private burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery in Kendallville. Honor guard services will be provided by the Veterans Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers are Banner Kidd and Travis Bailey. Active pallbearers are Dennis Orr, Josh Golden, Ronnie Ball, Brandon Butler, Mike Rowe, and Chris Short. Memorials may be directed to the funeral home for funeral expenses or to The Refuge Community Church. Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville is assisting the family with arrangements. View a video tribute after Monday or share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com