Mr. William Earnest Parker, Sr.

On Thursday, April 7, 2022, the beloved Parker family Patriarch, William Earnest Parker, Sr., passed to his heavenly home with the Lord, Jesus Christ.  He was 83 and spent his entire life having lived in East Biloxi.

His life’s journey took him to the United States Marine Corps after High School.  He returned home to begin his career in auto repair as he took jobs at local repair shops to hone his skills learned from his father, Hosie B. Parker, Sr.  As he began his first family, he worked at his own shop in the front yard of his house on Crawford Street.  By 1972, he had built his own successful auto repair business, Biloxi Buggy Works, on Division Street.  There he served the Biloxi Community for over 40 years where his motto was “We can fix anything on wheels.”

Mr. Parker was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints in Ocean Springs, MS.  As a member of the LDS-Mormon church, he has held Priesthoods and various callings from to God to teach Sunday School, volunteer at church events, and home teach new members of the church.  Mr. Parker has dedicated his life to following the teachings of his Mormon Faith.

Mr. Parker will be known by many for his love of Bluegrass Music that played regularly at his Shop.  He was an avid coin collector.  He knew automobiles like no one else, in that, he could listen to the engine or noises the vehicle made and diagnose the problem.  He had a fondness for firearms as he collected many unique ones throughout his life.  He also enjoyed motorcycles and watching television.

Mr. Parker is preceded in death by his parents, Hosie B. and Isabelle Hennig Parker, and siblings, George, Rebecca, Frank, Hosie Jr., and Joe.

He is survived by his current wife of 39 years, Laura Gay Crowe Parker, his children, Lisa Medina, William E. Parker, Jr., Sharon (Patrick) Rauch, and Rebecca (Steven) Nelson.  His stepsons include John Crowe, Keith Crowe, Calvin (Courtney) Crowe, Brian (Tiffany) Crowe.  

Mr. Parker had a large, blended family as he also helped raise several grandchildren at different times in his life.  He had 28 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and counting.

A visitation will be held for the Family from 9:30-10:00am and Friends from 10:00-11:30am on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi, MS with a funeral service at 11:30am.

Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park on Hwy 90 in Ocean Springs, MS.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William Earnest Parker, Sr.