William R. "Dokie" Parson, Jr.

William Robert Parson Jr., aged 83, passed away peacefully on Jan. 15, 2025, at his home in Jeffersonville, KY, in Montgomery County with his wife June at his side.

Bill, or Dokie as he was known to friends and family, was born on Dec. 12, 1941, in Columbia, KY, to parents William Robert “Buck” Parson Sr. and Allie Parson.

He was a proud resident of Columbia for most of his life and a graduate of Adair County High School, Lindsey Wilson College and Campbellsville University.

Bill worked for the Lake Cumberland Area Development District for more than 30 years, retiring in 2000 as the executive director, serving on numerous boards and committees.

He loved his family and took great joy in helping others all over the country.

He had many hobbies and interests and stayed active throughout his life. He particularly enjoyed raising animals, golfing, fishing for fun and in tournaments and hunting. He loved his hunting dog Hardspot, who he said, “Listened better than his wife and was a whole lot easier broke.”

He coached little league baseball and football and loved showing off his cars. He was a founding member of the Green River Kruzers Car Club and help put on the Green River Labor Day ‘Run’dezvous Car Show. He was especially proud of his 1933 Plymouth Street Rod, which was the #1 Street Coupe at the US/Canada ICSA (International Car Shows of America).

He was a member of Columbia Masonic Lodge #96 and former member of the Adair County Jaycees.

In his retirement he enjoyed raising Myotonic (fainting) goats, Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd mix livestock guardian dogs and Wyandotte chickens. In the past few years, he mostly project managed the work.

He loved sports. Living in an area filled with University of Kentucky fans, he was an avid fan of the University of Louisville since 1955. He followed all sports -- football, basketball, men and women and says, “Go Cards.”

In fact, once ESPN was launched, he had nothing on the TV but sports. There’s always at least a fishing tournament on somewhere.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Dolly “Mammie” Parson; uncle Houston Parson; parents William “Buck” and Allie Parson; son and daughter-in-law William Todd Parson and Leslie Parson; father-in-law Hubert Martin and brother-in-law Jeff Martin.

He is survived by his wife June K Parson; daughter Kimberly Parson (Creig Ewing); son William Patrick Parson (Kellie Parson); stepsons Shane Hawkins and Jason Hawkins; mother-in-law Emma Martin; brothers-in-law Jim Martin (Gail), Mike Martin (Rita), and Bruce Martin (Debbie); grandchildren Zachary Ewing, Noah Ewing, Krysten Parson, Allie Parson, Jessica Ashby and Will Parson; and great grandchild Kylee Yates.

Funeral service – Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at Grissom-Martin Funeral Home with Bro. Steve Pescosolido officiating

Burial in Columbia Cemetery

Visitation after 10:00 A.M. Sunday

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements

Family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Claire HealthCare Hospice Services. Phone (606) 783-6808 or website st-claire.org/st-claire-foundation/give-back/ways-to-give/ or the donation can be left at the funeral home

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