William C. Parks, 90, died October 4, 2008 at his home in Prince Fredrick, MD. He was born July 13, 1918 in Tracy's Landing, MD.

He attended the former Tracey's School and Southern High School in Lothian. William was a lifelong member of St. James Parish in Lothian, and he and Ethel Johnson were married in Baltimore on January 23, 1941. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1942, and served aboard the carrier U.S.S. Essex in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was discharged October 2, 1945 as a Radarman 3rd Class, and returned home to Tracy's Landing where he and Ethel made their home.

He raised tobacco on his family farm, and was employed as a maintenance engineer and security guard at the Randle Cliff Naval Station in Chesapeake Beach, MD for 27 years. He later worked as a grounds supervisor for the Prince Georges County Board of Education, retiring in 1982. He was a member of St. James Parish where he was a Sr. Warden and Vestry member, and sang in the church choir. He was a member of the Stallings-Williams American Legion Post 206 in Chesapeake Beach, and the Deale Elks Lodge 2528.

He loved baseball, and was a catcher for teams in the Southern Maryland Baseball League, playing into his 40's. He was also an avid New York Yankee fan. He enjoyed farming and gardening, hunting, watching TV game shows, and time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ethel, his daughter Sandra Parks Moore and her husband Jim, granddaughters Patricia "Trish" Couto (Wayne) and Bonnie Lovelady (Randy), and great-grandchldren Joshua, Hannah, Justin and Hope Couto, and Wesley and Brody Lovelady. He was preceded in death by his parents George C. and Margaret Paddy Parks, thirteen brothers and sisters, and a very special granddaughter, Pamela Lee Crandell.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.

Funeral Service
October 8, 2008
11:00 A.M.
Location: Saint James' Parish, Lothian, Maryland

Visitation
October 7, 2008
2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 P.M.
Location: Rausch Funeral Home - Owings, MD