Obituary of William Parker Jr.

William “Bill” Parker, Jr., 86, of Glen Mills, PA passed away peacefully at home on March 2, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.  Born and raised in Philadelphia, his family moved to Springfield, Delaware County in 1950, where he attended Springfield High School.  Bill and his future wife, Carol Jones, were best friends at first and began dating in their senior year, graduating together from Springfield High School in 1954.  Bill and Carol were married in 1958 and raised three daughters (Meg, Betsy and Emmy).

Bill loved working on cars with friends from his high school days, especially old cars, and he taught his daughters much of what he knew - such as changing oil, hoses, brakes, and tires.  He loved the beach and swimming in the ocean, and the family spent summer vacations in Cape May at his parent’s summer home.

After high school, Bill went to work at Atlantic Richfield, where the personnel department insisted he attend college.  So he continued working while attending Drexel University at night, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, then went on to work on his MBA.

Bill continued to work for Arco in Reading, PA, where he built and managed service stations, then in downtown Philadelphia at Centre Square, where he managed interior construction and other projects, then as Purchasing Manager for Arco Chemical in Newtown Square.  He spent his entire career with Arco and retired in 1997.

The family moved to Fox Valley in Glen Mills in 1971, where Bill and Carol created a warm home and gardens, full of “finds” from their days of antiquing and traveling in Lancaster County and New England.  He was involved in church wherever they lived, teaching  Junior High Sunday School, serving as an Elder and as a Deacon, starting a new church, and heading up a building committee.

Bill enjoyed being the Fox Valley’s Santa Claus for many years.  He took his duty seriously, and spent time getting up to speed on the trendy toys each year.  In his later years, he loved being with his grandchildren, who knew him as “Pop”.

Bill was the son of the late William Parker, Sr., and Margaret Crainey Parker.  He is survived by his wife and best friend Carol and his sister Janet Parker Hahn of Media, PA; two daughters: Meg Holden of Wilmington, DE, and Emily Bibbo of Bow, NH (Matthew Poulin); five grandchildren:  Gloria Bibbo, Jack Holden, Caroline Bibbo, Louisa Holden, and Charlotte Holden;  and two former sons-in-law: David Holden and Greg Bibbo.  His daughter Betsy Parker of Arlington, MA passed away in 2018.

A visitation will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd., West Chester, PA from 2-3 pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023, followed immediately by a Memorial Service at 3pm.  Burial will follow in the Church Garden.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Bayada Hospice, 1400 N. Providence Rd., Suite 200, Media, PA 19063.  Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.