PARKER, Lowell Billie (Bill)

Lowell Billie (Bill) Parker, 82, went to be with Jesus on June 20, 2003. He was born at Howes Mill, Missouri on January 10, 1921 to John and Pearl Parker. A graduate of Salem High School, Bill worked for the Reznikoff & Sons Department Stores in several locations before joining the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in Europe and was awarded the Purple Heart. After three years of military duty, he rejoined the department store chain. In 1951, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and surrendered to preach in 1953. Bill pastored churches in Illinois, Missouri, and Arizona before joining the staff of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention (ASBC) in 1964. During his 22 years with ASBC, he served as Director of the Arizona Baptist Loan Fund, Director of the Cooperative Program and the ASBC Annuity Board Representative to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). For several years, he also served on the SBC Stewardship Commission. A much loved Christian man, he will be missed by his family and many friends. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joyce Parker; two daughters, Patricia MacGregor (Steve), Phoenix, Arizona, and Barbara Moore (Harold), Pendleton, Oregon; five grandchildren, Autumn Moore and Blaine Moore, Phoenix; Bilye Graff (Phil), Goodyear, Arizona; Joyce Ann Welch (Lincoln), Colorado; Mel Worters, Las Vegas, Nevada; and three great-grandchildren, Alex and Nicholas Welch and Chloe Graff. He is also survived by a brother, Lavern Parker, Granite City, Illinois. The family invites friends to join them for an "Earthly Reception of his Heavenly Home Going" on Thursday, June 26, at 6:00 P.M. in the Smithey-Parker Building at Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Road. In lieu of flowers, a gift may be made to the Lowell B. Parker Ministerial Scholarship Fund at Grand Canyon University to benefit students preparing for a pastoral ministry. Donations may be sent to Grand Canyon University, P.O. Box 11097, Phoenix, Arizona 85061. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/24/2003.
Posted by Karen on February 23, 2010

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