William Parker, 78, died on December 25, 2007 at his daughters home in rural Goodridge, MN.

Funeral service will be 10:30 am, Friday, January 4, 2007 at the Evangelical Free Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Mel Sich and Pastor Ron Hemsworth officiating. Burial will follow in the Viking Cemetery, Viking, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 on Thursday, January 3, 2007 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday.

William Longley Parker was born January 8, 1929 at Coon Rapids, IA, the son of Alfred Longley and Millicent Adeline (Porter) Parker. He attended elementary school and high school at Coon Rapids, IA and attended Iowa State College. He also attended Northwestern Bible College for 3 ½ years and Central Baptist Seminary for 3 years.

William served his country in the United States Navy, which he entered in 1948 and was honorably discharged in 1952.

On June 8, 1954, William was united in marriage to Edna Mae Terlouw. He attained 35 years as pastor, having spent ministering at Robbinsdale Baptist Church, (where his grandson is now serving as youth pastor) First Baptist Church, Parkers Prairie, MN, First Baptist Church, Glenwood, MN, Ralston Baptist Church, Ralston, NE, Regular Baptist Church, Kearney, NE, First Baptist Church, Bemidji, MN, Faith Baptist Church, Bemidji, MN and Faith Baptist Church, Sauk Centre, MN. After his first wifes home going, he was united in marriage to Ardelle Kjellberg on September 13, 2003.

He enjoyed rock polishing and jewelry making. He also liked to farm, joke, camp work, and pulpit supply, nice pickups and traveling. He also enjoyed going out for a good cup of coffee and a piece of pie.

William is survived by his wife Ardelle Parker, Thief River Falls, MN; 3 children: Esther Marie, husband John Gallagher, Goodridge, MN, Rebekah Ann, husband Frank Whitcomb, Geneva, MN and Deborah Lynn, husband Jon Hanson, Viking, MN; grandchildren, William Marshall (Jill) Parker, Tara (Aaron) Hall, Amanda Parker, John William (Bri) Gallagher, Jennicca (Joshua) Mabe, Joshua (Erin) Gallagher, Justin (Tara) Gallagher, Parker Whitcomb, Patrick Whitcomb, Shelby Whitcomb, Rebekah Whitcomb, Jordan Hanson, Jacob Hanson and Baylie Hanson; great grandchildren: Thomas John Mabe, Jackson James Mabe, Eliana Marie Gallagher, Connor Hall, daughter-in-law, Linda Parker Olson, husband Rick Olson, San Jose, CA; step children: Scott (Lori) Kjellberg, Stacy (Bill) Wightman, step grandchildren: Rocky Altepeter, Brittney & Jacob Wightman.

He was preceded in death by wife, Edna; son, William Randall Parker and parents.

ORGANIST: Jan Lee
KEYBOARD: Karen Sich
QUARTET: Dan Trontvet, Tom Shafer, Kent Hudson, Frank Whitcomb This Is Why I Want To Go
SOLOIST: Don Wahlbeck
SPECIAL MUSIC: Grandchildren Mansion Over the Hilltop
SPECIAL TRUMPETER: Frank Whitcomb
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Processional Hymn: To God Be The Glory, Recessional Hymn: Because He Lives
PALLBEARERS: Grandsons: William Marshall Parker, John Gallagher, Joshua Gallagher, Justin Gallagher, Parker Whitcomb, Patrick Whitcomb, Jordan Hanson, Jacob Hanson
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Granddaughters: Tara Hall, Amanda Parker, Jennicca Mabe, Shelby Whitcomb, Bekah Whitcomb, Baylie Hanson
MILITARY HONORS: Thief River Falls American Legion & VFW
PRAYER SERVICE: Day by Day