Billy Dean Parker, 84, of Simonton, Texas, passed away on December 1, 2024, in Sugar Land, Texas. He was surrounded by his family who loved him dearly.
Bill was born on December 19, 1938, to William and Doris Parker in Menard, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Patsy, his son Brian and his cousin Roy (who was like a brother to him).
Bill is survived by his siblings, Brenda and Bobby and his children, Jon Parker (Ling) and Julie Foster. His stepchildren, Kimberly Amador (Minor), Kerry Flecknoe and bonus daughter, Wendy Peterson. His grandchildren Lindsey, Garrett, Taylor, Olivia, Stephanie, Paul and Craig and great-grandchildren.
Bill graduated from Lewisville High School in 1957 where he made lifelong friends, especially with a group he played in a band with, named The Rockets. Bill was a lifelong music lover and enjoyed changing the words of songs to apply them to his life. He received his first guitar from his parents in eighth grade (which sparked his love of music). He was also an excellent dancer and enjoyed mariachi music. Bill exercised religiously his entire life which contributed to his youthful appearance.
After high school he married Carolyn Bedell and they moved to Austin where Bill attended the University of Texas and graduated in 1964. Carolyn and Bill had 3 children together Jon, Julie and Brian.
After graduating from UT, Bill went on to graduate school at Southern Methodist University. Soon after, the family moved to Houston and Bill and Carolyn divorced.
In 1979, Bill married the love of his life, Dochia Jane Boyd, with whom he helped raise her two young daughters, Kimberly and Kerry. He remained married to Jane until her death in April of 2020.
Bill worked as a consultant for several large companies including Schlumberger and EDS. His business took him all around the world, including China and Argentina. He lived in Texas, Maine, Massachusetts and South Carolina during his working years. After his retirement he worked with Jane and the girls at their family business. He also volunteered for over 15 years on the livestock committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and he rode his horses with the Valley Lodge Trail Riders in the HLSR parade.
Bill will be remembered for his exceptional memory and sense of humor, his music and his musical knowledge.
He was known for his homemade greeting cards that were cleverly crafted. He enjoyed regaling his friends and family with tales of growing up in Texas.
He spent a lot of time with Taylor and Olivia Amador (his granddaughters whom he called The Amadorables). He was the best papa a girl could have. The girls spent a lot of time with him as they were growing up. One of his cherished memories was putting Taylor’s Aggie ring on her in April of 2022. He often said he hoped to live long enough to see Olivia graduate from A&M in 2026.
Sadly, he will only be there in spirit. Another fond memory was spending time with his granddaughter Lindsey Rangel and her little boys, who he called The Little Wranglers. Bill had a knack for clever nicknames.
Bill was a proud Texan and said “Being a Texan, especially a Menard Texan, always had a special meaning to me and in fact, certainly defined who I am.”
Bill was the best father, a loving husband and papa. He was the smartest man we knew and the most pleasant person to be around. He was loved tremendously and will be greatly missed by many, including his work family which he enjoyed, many dear friends and especially his loving family.
“Adios.” “This was my last Rodeo.”