Billy Lee Parker

Parker Billy Lee Billy Lee Parker passed away peacefully Thursday, April 15, 2010 with his family by his side. Billy was born to Lyman Lee and Mildred D. Parker at Trilby, Ohio on February 1, 1928. At 17, Billy met the love of his life, Mary Ann. After graduating Whitmer High School, Billy served in the U.S. Army in Korean 1946-1948. Upon his discharge, he and Mary Ann wed and began their family. He attended the University of Toledo while working as a carpenter for the Fred W. Entenman Co. Employing his technical skills, along with a winning personality and business acumen, Billy embarked on a successful career in the construction industry that would span forty-five years. After serving as a carpenter foreman and field superintendent, he was appointed Vice President in 1953. Billy became a partner in the general contracting firm when the Entenman Co. became MacKinnon-Parker Inc. in 1967. Billy served as Vice President of Field Operations for years, becoming President and retiring as major shareholder and Chairman of the Board in 1993. During his leadership tenure, MacKinnon-Parker, Inc. became one of the largest contractors in Ohio and was responsible for the successful construction of many noteworthy institutional, industrial and commercial buildings throughout the state, as well as in Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Arkansas and West Virginia. Along with his corporate role, Billy served on the Regional Association of General Contractors AGC Boards, as well as three terms as the President, also a lifetime Board Member of the National AGC. He was also active with the United Way and many other roles of public service contribution. Fraternally, Billy was raised a Freemason in 1956, and he also belonged to the Zenobia Shrine and the Royal Order of Jesters in the Toledo Court. Throughout his personal life, family, friends and business associates relied upon him as a consummate source of wisdom and as a man of his word. He imparted to his family his love for the outdoors and his strong work ethic. He managed to find time to pursue his hobbies of project design and renovation, as well as fishing and hunting with his many buddies. He and Mary Ann traveled the world together and shared many vacations in Florida and on Lake Erie. Billy is survived by his devoted, loving wife of 61 years Mary Ann; fortunate children Thomas L. Peggy Parker and Constance L. Chris Kreft; grandchildren, Michael K. Abbey Sachs, William L. Parker, Meredith L. Parker, Rachel L.Brian Bell, Sabrina A. Greg Wistain, and Nicholas A. Rachael Kreft, as well as 8 great grandchildren. Friends may visit the family on Sunday from 2-9 PM at the Walker Funeral Home 5155 Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd with a Masonic service at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Monday at the funeral home at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Ducks Unlimited 1 Waterfowl Way Memphis, TN 38120, Historical Society of Waterville P.O. Box 263 Waterville, OH 43566, or Humane Society of Wood Co. 801 Van Camp Rd. Bowling Green, OH 43402 Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.