HEBER R. PARKER

Willow resident Heber Raymond Parker died Sept. 26, 2008 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center following a stroke. He was 90.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1 at Palmer Pioneer Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date to accommodate relatives and friends from out of state.

Parker was born Aug. 6, 1918 in Hominy, Okla. His mother nicknamed him “Tim” when he was very young. He grew up in Coolidge, Ariz., and followed an older brother to work the oil fields of Oklahoma when he was 17.

Parker had various occupations, but was most proud of his time spent in the military. He was a paratrooper during World War II and was also in the infantry in the Korean War, and was wounded during his time there. He served in law enforcement in California for 10 years and was also a partner in a lumber yard business. He was a proud member of the Elks organization.

Parker came to Alaska in 1970 to work on the construction of the hydroelectric power plant in Snettisham. He loved Alaska and brought his wife here to make a home. When his job at Snettisham was finished, they moved to the Anchorage area. He joined the Laborers Union Local 341 and continued to work through the union on many projects in the Aleutian Islands, including the nuclear test site there, until he retired in the 1980s.

He had a gift shop and home on Wasilla Creek along the Parks Highway and lived there until building his home in Willow. Parker enjoyed woodworking and sold his work and other crafts inthe gift shop.

According to friends, the Old West and gardening were also passions of Parker’s. He labored countless hours working in his yard and greenhouse each year to have a beautiful landscape and bountiful garden. His collection of Western movies and books was extensive. John Wayne was his favorite, by far.

“He was a kind and gentle man with a twinkle in his eye and a giggle that would bring a smile to anyone’s face,” they wrote. “He will be missed by all those who knew him, and he will remain a sunny spot in their hearts.”

Parker was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine.

Valley Funeral Homes & Crematory handled the arrangements.