William Elmer Parsons, Jr.

March 20, 2024

William Elmer Parsons, Jr.
January 12, 1951- March 6, 2024

William (Bill) was born in Spring Valley, Illinois to William Elmer Parsons and Lorraine Marie (Barto) Parsons, and lived in Spring Valley, IL through his school years. After graduation from Hall High School in Spring Valley, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy. and was sent first to NTC Great Lakes, IL and then to NCIC Pensacola, FL for training as an (ET) Electronic Technician.

Upon completion of his specialized training in Pensacola in 1972, Bill was assigned to NAVFAC in Adak, Alaska. When Bill was assigned to Key West, Florida in 1973, he met and fell in love with Victoria Jane Sisson, a Navy Ocean Systems (OT). The two would marry in February 1974 in the chapel at Truman Annex, Key West. Vickie and Bill would be dedicated to one another for almost fifty (50) years before she passed away in Pensacola, FL on February 12, 2024, twelve days before their 50th anniversary. She was Bill’s life-long love.

While they were in Pensacola, Bill and Vickie arranged to have matching orders and they went together to Argentia Newfoundland. They fell in love with Newfoundland and Labrador and its people. While in Newfoundland, Vickie completed her enlistment and Bill remained on active duty. It was there, in 1977, that their first son, Brian, was born. The couple remained in Newfoundland until 1978, when Bill was assigned to Keflavik, Iceland.
Bill served with distinction in Iceland until 1980. That assignment enabled the couple to travel extensively in Denmark and Spain. The next assignment for Bill was to FLEASWTRACENLANT IN Norfolk, VA. While spending four years in Norfolk, the couple’s second son, Kenneth (Kenny) was born in 1981. In 1984, Bill was assigned once again to Newfoundland, his favorite place.

In 1986, Bill returned to Pensacola, where he found good schools and no snow. Bill retired from the US Navy in Pensacola in 1991 after serving faithfully and well for twenty-two (22) years.

Bill was promoted to OTMC E7 and earned distinction as OMT 9502/Instructor and as an Integrated Underseas Surveillance Specialist. Bill was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Proficiency Award, five (5) Good Conduct Medals, and five (5) Navy and Marine Overseas Service Ribbons.

After his Naval Service, Bill thrived as a member of the Financial Aids Staff at Pensacola Junior College and a service technician for Coastal Computers.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Vickie.

Bill is survived by sons Brian Parsons and Kenneth Parsons both from Cantonment, Florida, by his sister, Sheryl (Jack) Hunter of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee, and by grandchildren Jazmine (Anthony) Marion of Brewton, Alabama, and Kellie Parsons and William Parsons, both of Cantonment, Florida.

Bill will be placed in Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, next to his beloved Vickie.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, Florida is entrusted with arrangements.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries