WILLIAM S. PARKS

Palmer resident Mr. William S. Parks, 84, died at home after a long illness.

A graveside service with military honors will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery.

Mr. Parks was born March 2, 1919, in Livingston, Ky.

He served in the United States Army from Oct. 1, 1940, to August 1945. He was a Pearl Harbor veteran and a survivor of five major battles in the European theater in World War II, and was a recipient of the Bronze Star.

From 1956 until 1959 Mr. Parks worked for the Air National Guard in Anchorage.

He was self-employed

as a water well driller for many years.

Mr. Parks enjoyed motorcycles and old cars.

His family said, "Bill was a great storyteller and never met a stranger."

Mr. Parks is survived by his wife Dorothy Parks; son and daughter-in-law Bill and Susan Parks of Anchorage; daughter and son-in-law Delora and Chris Garcia of Kenai; step-son and wife James and Kathi VanZant of Palmer; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Parks family, P.O. Box 3101, Palmer AK 99645.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.