REV. WILLIE BYRON PARKER

Willie Byron Parker of Dothan, AL, passed away June 3, 2023, at the age of 85.  A Southern Baptist minister by profession, Rev. Parker served as lead chaplain at Southeast Alabama Medical Center (SAMC) in Dothan for 35 years, retiring in 2016.  Rev. Parker also served as the pastor of South Lena Baptist Church (Dothan, AL), First Baptist Church of Gordon (AL), Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church (Gordon, AL) and on the board of directors for the Dothan Rescue Mission.  Rev. Parker was named Minister of the Year in 1993 by the Alabama Baptist Convention.

Rev. Parker was a native of Seminole County, GA.  He received his formal education at Florida Baptist Theological College in Graceville.  Holding a fervent faith in Christ Jesus, Rev. Parker was an active member of Dothan’s Southside Baptist Church.

Rev. Parker is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law: Warren B. and Brenda Parker of Hoover, AL, and William D. and Ann Parker (grandson Drew) of Fort Worth, TX.  The family thanks special friend LaMerle Kite for many years of kindness and friendship to Willie and Patricia Parker.

Preceding Rev. Parker in death are his parents, Burrell and Charlotte Parker, formerly of Donalsonville, GA, and his wife of 49 years, Patricia Kay Williams Parker of Dothan, AL.

The family extends gratitude in recognizing the professional healthcare provided by Southeast Health Hospital, Wesley Place Rehabilitation, Enhabit Home Health, Enhabit Hospice Care, and Wiregrass Home Care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Missions Fund of Southside Baptist Church, 423 East Cottonwood Road, Dothan, AL  36303.

A visitation will be held at Southside Baptist Church (423 East Cottonwood Road, Dothan, AL 36303) beginning at noon CST on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, two hours prior to the memorial service at 2:00 PM CST.  A burial service at Friendship Memorial Gardens in Donalsonville, GA will follow the service at 4:30 PM CST.