1934
William
2008
William Parks
March 24, 1934 — February 7, 2008
William "Bill" Albert Parks, 73, Perham, MN, died peacefully on Thursday, February 07, 2008, under the care of Hospice and the Perham Memorial Nursing Home. He had put in an awesome fight against cancer. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 11, at 11:00 am in Calvary Lutheran Church, Perham, MN, with Pastor Phil Holtan officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 10, from 3:00 - 6:30 pm at Calvary Lutheran with a prayer service at 6:30 pm and also one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.
Bill was born in Minneapolis, MN, on March 24, 1934, to John and Lillian (Heimsness) Parks. He graduated from Harding High School in St. Paul, MN, in 1952. He was an entertainer at Gillette State Children's Hospital where he met Dessie Farbo. Dessie was an RN at the hospital. They were married on July 7, 1956. Bill enlisted in the army the same year. He served in the 2nd Battalion of the 11th Armored Cavalry HQ Company. He was stationed in Germany. After his tour of duty, he found employment at Schmidt's Brewery. He worked there for 21 years. He also worked at Jerry's Drive Inn. For years, Bill and Dessie lived in Lake Elmo, MN, where they raised four children. During this time, Bill was very active in scouting and became a Scoutmaster. He was also a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge.
In 1976, Bill and Dessie gave up the city life and moved the family to Perham, MN. They purchased The Triangle Inn near Rush Lake. Bill worked in different areas after The Triangle, some of which being insulation, real estate, a truck wash, tax preparation, and advertising sales.
He dove right into being an active member of his community. He served on the Perham City Council, the PACC board, Toastmasters, the Lions Club, and was president of the Perham Area Chamber of Commerce. Bill was influential in starting the Perham Annual Tradeshow. He was recognized with a Hall of Fame Award in 2002 by the Perham Area Chamber of Commerce.
Being a very proud member of the Perham Lakes Lions Club, he was awarded many honors from Helen Keller Sight, Leader Dogs, Melvin Jones, and he became District Governor of 5M9 in 1997. One of his most loved charities was KAMP KACE; he poured his heart into it. He raised large amounts of money for the camp, and was a true volunteer. Bill loved hunting, golfing, his daily morning visits to the cafAC., Calvary Lutheran Church, and his family.
In 2007, Bill was honored by friends with a roast, poking fun at him and also thanking him for his contributions to the community. He was chosen as a co-chairperson for the local Relay for Life. Bill also decided to help out with Calvary's confirmation classes; he found much joy in working with the kids.
Bill is survived by four children, John (TamiJo) Parks of New York; Jim Parks of Perham, MN; Jerri (Kevin) Dykhoff of Perham, MN; and Jeff (Cindy Kube) Parks of Perham, MN; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marlene (Roger) Prill of Brainerd, MN.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian; and his wife of 50 years, Dessie.
Bill was born in Minneapolis, MN, on March 24, 1934, to John and Lillian (Heimsness) Parks. He graduated from Harding High School in St. Paul, MN, in 1952. He was an entertainer at Gillette State Children's Hospital where he met Dessie Farbo. Dessie was an RN at the hospital. They were married on July 7, 1956. Bill enlisted in the army the same year. He served in the 2nd Battalion of the 11th Armored Cavalry HQ Company. He was stationed in Germany. After his tour of duty, he found employment at Schmidt's Brewery. He worked there for 21 years. He also worked at Jerry's Drive Inn. For years, Bill and Dessie lived in Lake Elmo, MN, where they raised four children. During this time, Bill was very active in scouting and became a Scoutmaster. He was also a lifelong member of the Masonic Lodge.
In 1976, Bill and Dessie gave up the city life and moved the family to Perham, MN. They purchased The Triangle Inn near Rush Lake. Bill worked in different areas after The Triangle, some of which being insulation, real estate, a truck wash, tax preparation, and advertising sales.
He dove right into being an active member of his community. He served on the Perham City Council, the PACC board, Toastmasters, the Lions Club, and was president of the Perham Area Chamber of Commerce. Bill was influential in starting the Perham Annual Tradeshow. He was recognized with a Hall of Fame Award in 2002 by the Perham Area Chamber of Commerce.
Being a very proud member of the Perham Lakes Lions Club, he was awarded many honors from Helen Keller Sight, Leader Dogs, Melvin Jones, and he became District Governor of 5M9 in 1997. One of his most loved charities was KAMP KACE; he poured his heart into it. He raised large amounts of money for the camp, and was a true volunteer. Bill loved hunting, golfing, his daily morning visits to the cafAC., Calvary Lutheran Church, and his family.
In 2007, Bill was honored by friends with a roast, poking fun at him and also thanking him for his contributions to the community. He was chosen as a co-chairperson for the local Relay for Life. Bill also decided to help out with Calvary's confirmation classes; he found much joy in working with the kids.
Bill is survived by four children, John (TamiJo) Parks of New York; Jim Parks of Perham, MN; Jerri (Kevin) Dykhoff of Perham, MN; and Jeff (Cindy Kube) Parks of Perham, MN; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Marlene (Roger) Prill of Brainerd, MN.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, John and Lillian; and his wife of 50 years, Dessie.
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