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Obituary For William Louis Parker, Sr
Pastor Emeritus William L. Parker, Sr. passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, at the Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veterans Center, just days after celebrating his 90th birthday with his loving family.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Pastor Parker enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 16 and faithfully served for 26 years, including tours in Korea and Vietnam. He retired as Command Sergeant Major in 1980, becoming the first African American to hold that position at the Fort Knox Stockade.
Answering the call to preach, Pastor Parker began ministry at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Radcliff, KY, later pastoring four congregations, including Milltown Baptist Chapel (Tompkinsville, KY) and First Baptist Church of Irvington, where he retired as Pastor Emeritus in 2017. He was known for his vision, wisdom, and passion for leading God’s people.
On August 28, 2025, Pastor Parker shared with his family that he had “seen Jesus” and was ready to go home. Two days later, his prayer was answered as he entered eternal rest, fulfilling 2 Corinthians 5:8: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Maria Parker, his parents, and all of his siblings.
He leaves to cherish his memory seven children: Adrian (Regina) Parker, Stephanie (Deryck) Lewis, Fontessa Booker, William Parker Jr., Demetrius Sr. (Tasha) Parker, Yohance Parker, and Lolita Cartwright; nineteen grandchildren, twenty-five great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.
Pastor Parker’s legacy of courage, faith, and service will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Homegoing Services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, September 8, 2025 at First Baptist Church Irvington, Apostle Chancey Craig, officiating. Burial with Military Honors at KY Veterans Cemetery Central, Radcliff.
Visitation after 6:00 PM, Sunday at Percell & Sons Funeral Home, Elizabethtown.
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I'm so grateful my babies and I got to meet pop pop and break bread and laughs with him. Truly one of a kind. Sending sincere love, hugs and prayers for peace to the family from miles away!
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