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2014 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 335
Celebrating the life of the Honorable William T. Parker.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 21, 2014
Agreed to by the Senate, February 27, 2014

 

WHEREAS, the Honorable William T. Parker, an accomplished community leader, businessman, and public servant who represented the residents of the City of Chesapeake in the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia, died on January 25, 2014; and

WHEREAS, born in Norfolk, William “Bill” Parker graduated from Great Bridge High School, attended the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Apprentice Program, and served his country as a member of the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, after completing his honorable military service, Bill Parker returned to the Commonwealth and earned a reputation for his strong work ethic; he worked in several jobs until 1965, when he joined the project to develop Chesapeake Memorial Gardens and began a long career in real estate and land development; and

WHEREAS, Bill Parker’s outstanding contributions to the project earned him the respect and admiration of many local business and community leaders, leading to opportunities for other key development projects in the city; and

WHEREAS, today, many of the residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, and commercial developments enjoyed by members of the community bear the hallmarks of Bill Parker’s foresight and dedication; and

WHEREAS, desiring to be of further service to the Commonwealth, Bill Parker ran for and was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates; taking office in 1976, he ably represented the residents of the 38th District for two terms; and

WHEREAS, as a delegate, Bill Parker worked to enact important legislation and offered his knowledge and experience to several House Committees, including Education, Militia and Police, Nominations and Confirmations, and Roads and Internal Navigation; and

WHEREAS, elected to the Senate of Virginia in 1980, Bill Parker represented the 14th District and continued to achieve many successes toward the betterment of both the City of Chesapeake and the Commonwealth until his retirement from public office in 1988; and

WHEREAS, among his many accomplishments, Bill Parker was instrumental in the creation of the Chesapeake Jubilee, the Chesapeake Expressway, and the maternity center of Chesapeake Regional Medical Center; he also lobbied in Washington, D.C., for the Bower’s Hill-Belleville Connector, which today offers convenient access to the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel; and

WHEREAS, Bill Parker offered his wise leadership to the community as the chairman of the Hampton Roads Sanitation District Commission and the Chesapeake Board of Zoning Appeals, and in 1982, he was named First Citizen of Chesapeake for his tireless devotion to the city; and

WHEREAS, Bill Parker volunteered his time and talents to Great Bridge Masonic Lodge No. 257, Shriners International, Khedive Shriners, Chesapeake Shrine Club, and American Legion Post 280; he enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community at Great Bridge United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, a man of great integrity, Bill Parker served the Chesapeake community, the Commonwealth, and the nation with dedication and distinction; and

WHEREAS, Bill Parker will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife of 58 years, Vivian; daughter, Cheril, and her family; numerous other family members and friends; and colleagues on both sides of the aisle; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of the Honorable William T. Parker, a successful businessman, skillful community leader, and loyal public servant; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of the Honorable William T. Parker as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.