Bill Parham 1924-2019

Staff Sergeant Bill Parham, 95, died peacefully in his Kingfisher, OK home on Friday, July 5, 2019.

He was born on February 6, 1924 in Kingfisher to Harry and Sue (Burns) Parham. He attended Kingfisher High School, but was drafted in 1942 into World War II before he could complete his diploma. He later received an honorary diploma in 2002 at the annual Kingfisher High School Veteran's Day Assembly.

Bill spent three years of World War II serving in the United States Army Corp of Engineers with Company F of the 368th Division in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Luxembourg, and Germany. As an expert rifleman and a heavy truck driver, Bill earned a Good Conduct Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 silver service star, a WWII Victory Medal, an Honorable Service Lapel Button, and an Expert Rifleman Badge. He was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1945. He then served in the National Guard of Oklahoma with Company M of the 179th Infantry for one year and was honorably discharged in July 1946.

After the war, he began a career as a Territory Sales Manager for Oliver Machinery Company which eventually became White Farm Equipment. He also enjoyed doing cattle inspections for BancFirst and home appraisals for Kingfisher County.

Bill was a loyal soldier, as well as a funny and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He married Marjorie Phillips in Kingfisher, OK in 1947. They had two children, Pamela Sue in 1949 and Jon Roger in 1951.

His favorite things in life were spending time with his family and racing his quarter-horses, especially his pride and joy, Hoddy Bar.

He is survived by his daughter, Pam Combs and her husband Mike, of Kingfisher; five grandchildren: Chris Combs of Kingfisher, Carrie Maschmeier & husband Bill of Edmond, Jeff Parham & wife Melanie of Metairie, LA, Clint Combs & wife Kathy of Edmond, and Jenni Parham & wife Delia Garcia of Orlando, FL; seven great-grandchildren: Gracie, Will, and Luke Maschmeier, Keylun and Keynun Combs, and Kennedy & Claire Combs; sister-in-law Annette Parham; niece Nancy Parham; nephews Wayne & Steven Parham and RD Kinsch & wife Corky.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his son, his parents, his sister Vera Kinsch, his brothers Bob, Max, and Jimmy Parham, and his nephew Phillip Parham.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an organization that was important to Bill: the Keith Lowry-Henry Ellyson American Legion Post 5 which provides for American veterans. Donations can be made online at www.legion.org or mailed in to Post 5 at 123 W Miles Ave, Kingfisher, OK, 73750.