William W. Parker
January 6th, 1943 – May 11th, 2026
After spending a weekend with loved ones, Dad left this world the way he would have chosen. He passed peacefully in the comfort of his home on Kayuta lake, in his favorite chair, anticipating that first sip of a cold beer as he settled in to watch golf for the afternoon.
He was born in Sauquoit NY on January 6, 1943, the first born to William and Hazel Parker, big brother to Jeanne and John. His wonderful parents instilled in him, a strong work ethic and sense of values that he carried with him throughout his whole life. He was a Sauquoit boy through and through. He attended Sauquoit high school and played for their football team. He lived most of his life in the Sauquoit area and often shared many fond childhood memories from his hometown.
In 1964 he joined the Army and proudly served his country working as a medic for wounded soldiers. He always took pride in the strong military roots that ran in his family.
Dad was well known as the Sauquoit valley insurance man, working for Prudential for 35 years. In those times, he would go to people’s homes, often times sitting with them at their kitchen tables to assist them with their insurance needs. He was proud of his career path and the people that he helped along the way while providing for his own family.
Dad also maintained several long-term memberships. He was a member of the Masonic temple as well as the Boonville and New Hartford American Legion and the Boonville Elks.
He enjoyed woodworking in his garage workshop, where he built beautiful Adirondack furniture from logs that he had milled himself. He took great pride in the pieces of furniture he fabricated with his hands. He made many special, one of a kind, pieces for his friends and family and we are so fortunate to have received these tangible objects of Dad’s love.
Dad was an outdoorsman in every sense of the word, from hunting and fishing, to cutting wood, he just enjoyed being outdoors and being a man. He was a lifetime member of Miller camp in Nobleboro. Here is where he made many cherished memories hunting and fishing spanning from his childhood with his father to recent years with his own son. He had his last trip in last year to enjoy a weekend with the boys. In his recent years, he took enjoyment from his little hunting cabin that he built with the help of his son. A peaceful retreat in the woods where he enjoyed hunting, cutting wood and puttering around or just drinking a glass of scotch on the front porch. It was in these woods that Dad recently shot the biggest Whitetail of his life, a beautiful eight pointer. He continued to brag about that deer just last week…” not too bad for an 82-year-old!” .
Many happy memories have been made at his Kayuta Lake home, another Source of Dad’s pride. He cleared the property, milled the lumber and built a beautiful home and camp for himself and his family. Because of his hard work and sacrifice, many beautiful memories have been made taking in the lake from Dad’s front porch or sitting by the fire. On a good night, the music would pour from Dad‘s house as the sun set before us. These will be memories forever cherished.
On May 1, 1965, Dad married the love of his life, Anne McCall, a pretty West Winfield girl. They shared a strong and loving union for 33 years. Together they painted a perfect example for their three children of what true love really is, through the good and the bad. They enjoyed traveling together. One special trip they took was a cross-country train trip to California. They also enjoyed trips to Myrtle Beach, Nova Scotia, Maine and Virginia. Summers were spent at the family camp on Little Long Lake. It was here that Dad taught us how to fish, swim, water ski, drive boat and just enjoy the water where he had spent his childhood in the old Ice House cabin. In 1985 dad built our mother’s dream home on Sessions Road. He put in many very early mornings and very late nights to build our family home, doing all of this while he worked full time in a suit and tie for the remainder of the day. He worked so damn hard to provide for his family. Mom and dad enjoyed simple times in life, just working together around their beautiful home, gardening, and doing yardwork and projects, cooking and cocktails and just being together. They would often sit in the kitchen as mom prepared dinner, Dad would have a beer, and mom would have her martini.
Their home was often the gathering spot for holidays, family, dinners, and celebrations. Dad showed his true strength as he cared for mom during her illness, always attentive and by her side, loving her until her passing in 1999. Mom was joyfully waiting for Dad as he passed from this earth- a cocktail hour in heaven, a beautiful reunion, indeed.
Dad leaves behind three loving children and their spouses: Kathy and Ted Thomas of Sauquoit, Steve and Michele Parker of Cassville and Elaine and Josh Small of Litchfield .
He would often say “ I love all you kids.”
He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren. Heather (Dan) Randazzo, Zachary (Jamie) Thomas, Erika Parker, Owen Cleveland and Anne Cleveland. Dad was fortunate enough to enjoy five, soon to be six great grandchildren. Silvio (aka Sal to great grandpa) and Ruby, Althea and Aspen and Lucas. He was affectionately known as papa, papa on the lake, old papa, big papa and grandpa. Dad had hopes that his great grandchildren might remember him.
He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, John and Maggie Parker of Woodgate,
A brother-in-law, Colonel William McCall of Fair Oaks California and a dear friend and companion of over 20 years, Nancy Genter of Remsen.
He has many cherished, nieces, and nephews that he leaves behind as well and an old grand dog and snack companion, Moose.
Dad was predeceased by his wife Anne Parker, his parents William and Hazel Parker, his sister Jeanne Davis, and a childhood, lifelong friend Bob Hyde.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 17th from 1pm to 3pm at Smith Funeral Home, 3022 Oneida Street, Sauquoit, NY 13456. A funeral service will be held Monday, May 18th at 10am at Three Steeples United, 2817 Old State Route 12, Paris, NY 13456. A burial will immediately follow funeral services at Sauquoit Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Boonville American Legion or Saint Jude's children’s Hospital.
Online tributes at www.smith-funeralhome.com