Walt Parson

Walton Ray “Walt” Parson, age 64, Haleyville, AL passed away Friday, September 11, 2015, at his home while battling nasopharyngeal small cell carcinoma. Visitation will be Monday, September 14, 2015 from 6-9 p.m. at Pinkard Funeral Home where the service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Hillcrest City Cemetery in Haleyville. Vance Hutton and Nathan Carroll officiating. Walt was born on October 17, 1950, in Haleyville, Alabama, and graduated from Haleyville High School in 1968. That same year, he married Carol Gardner. They would have celebrated their 47th anniversary on November 27th. Throughout his life, he worked in the Mobile Home industry, the Coal industry, the Waste Management industry, and owned, operated, and sold several of his own restaurants. Walt was “for” Haleyville, the town he loved, wanted to help it grow and thrive, and invested much of his personal life contributing to and supporting its betterment. At the time of his death, Walt was serving on the Haleyville Solid Waste Disposal Authority and he had served several terms prior. More often than not, Walt was the “Grill master” at special events in Haleyville –the Winston County Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies, HHS sports banquets, civic organization banquets, and his church sponsored Panama City Youth Retreat, just to name a few. Subsumed within his love for Haleyville, was Walt’s love for its youth and his belief that dedication to and investment in them was not only a blessed privilege and joy, but a duty and responsibility. He committed himself to helping, teaching, encouraging, and inspiring Haleyville’s young people to believe in God, practice and develop their talents, to never let “difficult” be the obstacle that ended a dream, to accept the help offered to them, graciously, and someday “pay it forward.” Walt knew that these things were what created good people, good citizens, and the future good of Haleyville. Walt served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Haleyville, he attended many youth mission trips and served for three years as the Coordinator for Children’s Ministries and the Young at Heart program. His own two children smile today and say, “He always put us first.” He coached Kristi’s softball and basketball teams and Billy Ray’s basketball, football, and baseball teams. Frequently, he left home for work at 4:00a.m. so that he would not miss a game played later that afternoon. Walt had a tremendous effect on Haleyville sports and can be directly linked to some of the Championship banners one sees upon entering the high school gymnasium. He co-founded the Dixie Youth Baseball program in Haleyville when Billy Ray was a boy. He also coached Kristi’s softball team when she was eight through the Haleyville Park and Recreation Department. He continued to coach this same team for years and knew it was a powerhouse. He began appealing to the school superintendent, the school board, the city council, the booster’s club, and anyone else who would listen, to establish a Haleyville High School Softball team. The HHS team became a reality prior to the 1984-85 school year and, just two years later, they won the State Championship! Additionally, Kristi and several members of that championship team also played volleyball and won that State Championship, as well, the very same year. Sports did not define Walt, however. He certainly never met a stranger and had more friends than one can number. And, he had a huge heart that really cared about and hurt for people. Billy Ray remembers that when he was a very young boy, Walt began teaching him to help people that were less fortunate. Long before becoming members of a church, Walt took his family to deliver bags of toys, food, or clothes to those in need during holidays. Walt was proud that Billy Ray and Kristi taught his grandchildren to do exactly the same. Walt was preceded in death by his Grandparents, Walter and Mannie Belle Arnold, Jack and Izilla Parson, and William and Rosie Defoor. He is survived by his wife, Carol Gardner Parson; his parents, Billy and Jean Parson; his children, Kristi Ward (Steve) and Billy Ray Parson (Amanda); his sister, LaRue Wakefield (Sonny); his grandchildren, Hayden Steven Ward, Emma Hughes and Jonathan Kent Parson; and his niece, Michelle Miller. you may leave online condolences at www.pinkardfh.com

Walt Parson

October 17, 1950 - September 11, 2015

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Walt Parson

October 17, 1950 - September 11, 2015

About Us

What We Do

Contact Us

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information

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