Bill Parham

Staff Sgt. Bill Parham, 95, died peacefully in his Kingfisher home Friday, July 5, 2019.

Bill was born Feb. 6, 1924, in Kingfisher to Harry and Sue (Burns) Parham.

He attended Kingfisher High School, but was drafted in 1942 into World War II before he could complete his diploma. He was presented an honorary diploma in 2002 at the annual Kingfisher High School Veteran’s Day Assembly.

Bill spent three years of World War II serving in the United States Army Corp of Engineers with Company F of the 368th Division in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Luxembourg and Germany.

As an expert rifleman and a heavy truck driver, Bill earned a Good Conduct Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star, a WWII Victory Medal, an Honorable Service Lapel Button, and an Expert Rifleman Badge.

Bill was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945. He then served in the National Guard of Oklahoma with Company M of the 179th Infantry for one year and was honorably discharged in July 1946.

After the war, Bill began a career as a territory sales manager for Oliver Machinery Company, which eventually became White Farm Equipment. He also enjoyed doing cattle inspections for BancFirst and home appraisals for Kingfisher County.

He married Marjorie Phillips in Kingfisher in 1947. They had two children, Pamela Sue in 1949 and Jon Roger in 1951.

Bill was a loyal soldier, as well as a funny and loving husband, father and grandfather.

His favorite things in life were spending time with his family and racing his quarter-horses, especially his pride and joy, Hoddy Bar.

He is survived by his daughter, Pam Combs and her husband Mike, of Kingfisher; five grandchildren, Chris Combs of Kingfisher, Carrie Maschmeier and husband Bill of Edmond, Jeff Parham and wife Melanie of Metairie, La., Clint Combs and wife Kathy of Edmond, and Jenni Parham and wife Delia Garcia of Orlando, Fla.; seven great-grandchildren, Gracie, Will, and Luke Maschmeier, Keylun and Keynun Combs, and Kennedy and Claire Combs; sister-in-law Annette Par-ham; niece Nancy Parham; nephews Wayne and Steven Parham and RD Kinsch and wife Corky.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his son, his parents, his sister Vera Kinsch, his brothers Bob, Max and Jimmy Parham, and his nephew Phillip Parham.

Burial was Tuesday, July 9, at Kingfisher Cemetery.

The service was officiated by Reverend Mr. Terry Rice.

Funeral arrangements were provided by Sanders Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an organization that was important to Bill, the Keith Lowry-Henry Ellyson American Legion Post 5, which provides for American veterans. Donations can be made online www.legion.org or mailed in to Post 5, care of Larry Talbott, Adjutant, at P.O. Box 196, Kingfisher, OK 73057.