William R Parker

William R. Parker (Bill) of Harrington, DE passed away on December 31, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was 80 years old.

Born in Dover, DE to the late William F. and Bernice Cain Parker, Bill entered this world as one of the most inquisitive and daring individuals some would ever meet.  From the toddler age he had a wrench in his hand, a determined look on his face and would climb with no fear. Growing up Bill worked hard helping run the family’s businesses including Parker & Hughes Tomato Cannery and raising dairy cows on the family farm for Hi-Grade Dairy. He graduated from Harrington High School in the Class of 1962 and attended the University of Delaware majoring in Agriculture. UD is where he built some of his most cherished relationships, especially with the Carlisle brothers and his Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers.

In the later 70’s Bill turned to grain farming and used it as a vehicle to engage his true passion and gifts which were engineering, problem-solving and developing innovative designs for farming solutions, one of many being a No-Till planter.  He also greatly enjoyed running and fixing the equipment, the last of which was his beloved excavator.

Bill thrived on the risk and gamble of marketing, finance and land investment making them a top priority as he always said “I never wanted to be old and poor!” Anyone that knew Bill knew he worked hard and he played hard. Fast boats, snowmobiles, cars, motorcycles, planes, ATVs all gave him the thrill that he needed and along for the rides came a very diverse group of friends. Sharing any experience with Bill meant you were going to enjoy a drink and have a good time, but at the end of the day it was the conversation that made him so unique. He was smart and he was a talker. You always knew exactly where he stood on any issue, especially politics, and he never passed on the challenge to convert someone who didn’t agree. However, what made people truly stop and listen were the stories. There was NO better storyteller than Bill Parker.  He loved his family, he loved his friends but more than anything he loved life and lived it his way till the very end.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Fred Parker.

Bill is survived by his loving companion of 24 years, Lynn Manges; Children, Valerie Parker O’Day, Paige Parker and Billy Parker (Jaime); Grandchildren, Megan Ellingsworth (Brad), Parker O’Day, Blake Arias (Anthony), Malori Hughes, Seth Parker, Haydan Parker; Great-Grandchildren, Miles Arias and Axel Ellingsworth; Partner of 57 years Sandra Parker; a special relationship with Carey Hoffman (Chris), Katherine and Allison Hoffman, David Manges (Kristan), Paige and Henry Manges.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Suicide Bridge Restaurant Pavillion, Secretary, MD on January 25 at 4pm

Arrangements have been entrusted the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, Inc, Harrington, DE.