William Alvin Parker

William Alvin Parker, 87, "Wig", beloved husband father, brother and friend passed away on October 1, 2016 in Oakley, Utah of causes incident to age. He was born on June 23, 1929 in Salt Lake City to John David and Ruth Cleveland Hudson Parker. The second youngest of nine children, he grew up in Salt Lake and graduated from West High School, class of 1947. He loved aviation; earning his pilot's licence before his driver's license. In 1948 he joined the newly formed Utah Air National Guard, where he served full-time until retiring after 35 years. As an aircrewman, he flew as a crew chief, flight engineer and finally as a "boom operator"(in-flight refueller). During his time in the Guard, and as a private aviator, he logged over 10,000 flight hours and traveled all over the country and the world. He was a veteran of Korea and Vietnam. Her served a full-time mission to Central America from 1953-55, where he learned Spanish. He rarely passed an opportunity to converse in Spanish, maintaining fluency for the remainder of his life. He married Mary Elaine Wagstaff on May 11, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple. They built a home in Taylorsville in 1959 raising their four children until moving to Elk Meadows in Oakley, Utah. They've been married over 60 years. He served faithfully in many church callings including Branch President of the Taylorsville 40th (Vietnamese) Branch, priesthood leadership and Sunday School. He was a veil worker for over 30 years in the Salt Lake and Jordan River LDS Temples. He also retired from Beehive Clothing. He truly excelled at being a husband and father. His quiet yet powerful example touched not only his wife and children, but tons of other people. He had a beautiful mind and a wonderful sense of humor. Even after suffering a massive stroke in 2001, he endured and could bring a smile to anyone. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elaine, Oakley, UT; sons Brett Alvin (Katrina), Francis, UT, Curtis Leon (Cami), St. George, UT; daughter, Ruth (Marc) Johnson, West Bountiful, UT; He is also survived by beloved daughter-in-law Sue (Brent) Seeley, Tooele, UT (who was widowed when his oldest son William Cleveland died in 1996); numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren; two brothers, George (Renee), Logan, UT, and Moroni (Joan) Parker, SLC, UT. Preceded in death by parents; 3 sisters: Vivian, Mary Alice, Miriam; and three brothers: David, Francis "Pat", and Curtis; grandson Benjamin; great-granddaughter Jaycee Anne. A heartfelt thanks to the staff of Elk Meadows who took such good care of Wig. He loved you all. A viewing will be held, Friday, October 7, 2016, 6-8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road. Interment, Redwood Memorial Estates. Place of Birth:Salt Lake City, UtahPlace of Death:Oakley, Utah