William Edward "Bill" Parr's Obituary
Forsyth-William Edward Parr, 89, of Forsyth formerly of Argenta and Lovington, passed away Saturday, March 08, 2014 in his home with his family by his side.
Bill was born February 28, 1925 in Decatur, the son of Harry and Minnie Mae (Nelson) Parr. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy on board the U.S.S. Bennett during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater where he participated in two major operations in the capture and occupation of Iwo Jima. He graduated from Argenta-Oreana High School class of 1943. He received his Bachelors in Business Administration from Butler University where he received the George Marshall Economics Award and was a member of the Honor Society. He graduated from Southern Illinois University Banker’s School. He was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church where he was a member of the M&M Sunday school class, also a member of the Argenta Masonic Lodge #871 A.F. & A.M., the Early Bird Kiwanis Club, Past President of the Lovington Kiwanis Club, former trustee of Friends Creek Cemetery, served on the board of the Macon County Historical Society, IL Bankers Association where he served as President of Division VIII., former board member of the Girl Scout Association, and volunteered for many years with St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary. He started his career in banking as assistant cashier at Gerber State Bank in Argenta from 1951-1963, then as cashier and later president of the Exchange Bank in Kahoka, MO, from 1963-1965, vice president and president of Hardware State Bank in Lovington from 1965-1978, and cashier and comptroller of First National Bank in Decatur. He married Patricia A. Snyder September 10, 1960 in Decatur.
Bill leaves behind Patricia his beloved wife of over fifty-three years, son William H. “Bill” Parr of Decatur, daughter Dianne Y. Johnson and husband Jay of Cape Coral, FL, grandchildren Andy Parr of Houston, TX, Tyler Johnson stationed with the U.S. Navy at Whidbey Island, WA, and Tiffany Johnson of Cape Coral, FL, sister Mary Ida Buckner and husband Norman of Sullivan, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bill was reunited in Heaven with his parents.
Services to celebrate Bill’s life will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at Grace United Methodist Church, 901 N Main St, Decatur. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. prior to the services at the church. Graveside services with military honors will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014 in Friends Creek Cemetery in Argenta. Memorials may be directed to Grace United Methodist Church, Decatur, Hickory Point Christian Village, Forsyth, or Safe Haven Hospice, Lincoln.
The family of William Edward “Bill” Parr is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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