Willard Amos Parks

Willard A. Parks, Sr., 83, of Cecil Woods, Elkton, MD, went home to be with the Lord August 28, 2009. Willard was born in Grayson County Virginia, December 3, 1925. He was the son of the late Robert C. Parks and Addie Cornett Parks. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Virginia Linell Parks, brothers, Wiley V. Parks, Elmer Ford Parks, Robert Parks, Jr., and sisters, Katherine Hale, Hassie Yonce, Alma Cassell, and Virginia Gilliam. Surviving siblings are Carol Montgomery from New Cumberland, PA, Ralph Parks, from Hailey, ID., J C Parks, from Lakeside, AZ. He is survived by his wife B. Virginia Parks. They have been married 63 years. He was a devoted husband, father, Pop, brother and friend to many. He will be missed by all the people he touched along the way. Survivors include his son Willard A. Parks, Jr. and wife Carol , of Bridgeville, DE.; and daughter, Deborah J. Smith and husband Donald of Rising Sun, MD.; five grandchildren, Brice Parks and wife Denise of Preston, MD.; Teresa Raynor and husband Nathan of Bridgeville, DE.; Nathan Smith and wife Jennifer of Rising Sun, MD.; Brant Parks and wife Brandy of Seaford, DE.; and Jen Terrizzi and husband Scott, of Alpharetta, GA;. and 11 great grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Family was important to him and he loved them dearly. During World War II, Willard served in the U. S. Army 75th Infantry Division in Europe. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and European Victor Medal. He is a life member of the 75th Division Association and Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and a member of the Zion United Methodist Church as well as a life member of Chapter 15 Francis McLhinnley D.A.V. of Havre de Grace, MD. He worked 26 years at the Aberdeen Proving Ground where he retired in 1969 on disability from his war wounds. He was an avid Oriole fan and loved gardening, fishing and crabbing. The family will receive friends at a viewing scheduled at Crouch Funeral Home Saturday, September 5, 2009 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM with the funeral at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Bel Air Memorial Garden, Bel Air MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Zion United Methodist Church or Francis McLhinney Chapter 15 D.A.V. in care of the funeral home. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book at www.crouchfuneralhome.com. Please contact the funeral home for additional information.