Billie Parks

Billie Bruce Parks passed from this life to his eternal life with Jesus on March 24, 2014, after a long blessed life of 99 years and a relatively short illness.

Visitation will be 5:007:00pm on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 US Highway 277 S, Abilene, TX 79606. At 7:00pm there will be a rosary led by Deacon Gerald Schwalb. Funeral will be Friday morning, March 28, at 11:00 am at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene TX 79606, officiated by Fr. Sam. Interment will follow with military honors at Elmwood Cemetery.

Bruce was born on February 15, 1915 in Callahan County to Kate and William Holland Parks. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Bob Parks and wife Eula, his older sister Susie and husband Earl Burks, his younger brother Jesse Parks and wife Berniece, and his little sister Sarah and husband James Cutshall. Bruce was also preceded in death by his wife Joan and son Bill.

He is survived by his oldest son Michael Parks and wife Shirley, his daughter, Mary and husband Mickey Light, his son, Greg Parks and wife Pumari, and his son, James Parks. Bruce is also survived by many grandchildren: James Edward Parks, Christina Fawn Parks, Angie Collette Parks, Steven Francis Parks, David Light, Dana DeVance, Daniel Light, Stephanie Merriman and Mitchell Yensel, Katie Parks, Lonnie and Brad, and many great grandchildren.

In his teen years, Bruce worked for a while in his Uncle Toms flower shop in Houston. Later, he began driving a bus for the city of Abilene. Even though this was during the time when there was a Black section and a White section on the bus, he decided never to enforce it and he never had any problems.

During World War II, Bruce joined the US Army in 1940 and served in the 131st Field Army Battalion as Technician Fourth Grade auto mechanic. He traveled on campaigns in France, Italy, and North Africa. He earned the EAME Campaign Medal with 5 Bronze Stars and 1 Bronze Arrowhead, American Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal, and received citations for Sharpshooter. He subsequently served in the National Guard as Battery Master Sergeant with the artillery. Bruce told many stories about how his guardian angel tripped him as he ran for cover to a fox hole, preventing him from reaching the foxhole. A second later a bomb fell on that foxhole. He also relayed how he was running and some shrapnel fell right between him and his buddies, missing them by inches. Another time his helmet stopped a bullet. One time he was in the house of an Italian, and he started cooking popcorn that his folks had sent him, but when it started popping, the Italians started hollering and crying that these Americans were destroying their house. They were running down the street screaming to the neighbors. He got in trouble with his commander. His hearing was greatly diminished due to the constant barrage of bombing. He was honorably discharged in 1948, but upon returning home, was often startled in his sleep by thunder. He would jump under the bed for cover before realizing he was safe at home. He thanked God for sending the angels to protect him from harm.

When he returned from the war, he again started driving a bus, but soon became an auto mechanic based on the knowledge and skills he had acquired working on vehicles in the army. He worked with his brother Bob in the Parks Bros Garage. In 1946, he married Joan Smith and adopted her son Michael. Bruce and Joan had 4 more children: Bill, Mary, Greg, and James.

Joan passed away in 1965. Bruce continued to raise his children and provide for them. He took his sons and daughter on outings to the lake or the ocean and they did a lot of fishing and boating, hunting and target practice. After Michael and Mary left home, Bruce continued to take Bill, Greg, and James on outings.

Bruce loved to cook and always made great meals. In 2010, Bruce agreed to come live with Mickey and Mary in San Antonio and enjoyed playing dominoes and was an excellent competitor. He liked to watch golf and westerns on TV.

Bruce was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He will be buried in Abilene next to his wife and son Bill. We will miss him.
God bless all our Knights and Veterans

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Thursday, March 27, 2014
5:00 to 7:00 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Thursday, March 27, 2014
7:00 PM

Funeral Mass

Holy Family Catholic Church
5410 Buffalo Gap Road
Abilene, TX  79606
Friday, March 28, 2014
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606