William A. Parks
William A. Parks of Hopwood, Pa., died Friday, Nov. 8, 2002, after a valiant struggle against illness. Bill was born in Uniontown, Pa., on Aug. 26, 1923, to Francis Augustine Parks and William A. Parks Sr.
He was predeceased by his beloved eldest sister, Kathryn (George) Hill in 1988; and his treasured nephew, Reed Parks.
On Nov. 10, 1942, Martha Bradstock, his childhood sweetheart, became the bride of Private William Parks at his post in Louisville, Kentucky. Together they had one child, Donna Parks Towery of Mesa, Arizona. Both mourn him deeply.
As well, Bill leaves his precious sisters, Sylvia (Cecil) Burnworth and Barbara (Walter “Bud”) King of Uniontown and one granddaughter, Alice (George) Sontheimer and one great-granddaughter, Beth Sontheimer, both of Fort Carson, Colorado. Bill will be greatly missed by brother and sister-in-law, Russell “Bud” Bradstock and Lorraine Bradstock and eight nieces and nephews.
As a youth, Bill was baptized at Great Bethel Baptist Church and graduated from Uniontown High School in 1941.
He was a Veteran in the Army Air Corps during World War II and later Bill served in the Philippine Islands and in Okinawa. His service and missions aboard Mitchell B-25 bombers furthered his lifelong love of aircraft and aviator.
Through affiliation with small aircraft manufacturers, Cessna, Piper and Beech, he advanced the interest and growth of general aviation in the tri-state area. As chief of production and quality control of Taylorcraft Inc., he facilitated the emerging policy of retrofitting American aircraft for use in foreign countries.
The family will receive friends in the JAMES D. BARNETT FUNERAL HOME, 196 West Main St., Uniontown, Pa., today from 1 until 3 p.m., and later from 5 to 7 p.m. Again on Monday, friends may call from noon to 1:30 p.m., the hour of the service. The commitment service will precede entombment at Sylvan Height Chapel of Memories, Sylvan Heights Cemetery, where AMVETS Post 103 will accord military honors.