Former SFA Dean of Fine Arts, Bill Parsons, 81, passed away Thursday, April 12, 2012, in Nacogdoches.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sue Grimes Parsons; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Arnold Gilbert; son and daughter-in law, John and Tana Parsons; grandchildren, Ryan Paul Gilbert, Stephanie Rose Gilbert, Bailey Anne Parsons, and John Henry "Hank" Parsons; and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.
An Arkansas native, Bill grew up in Memphis, TN, where he lettered in football, baseball, basketball and track at Humes High School. Bill received his BA degree from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, and his MA and PhD in Theatre Arts and Speech Communication from LSU. He served as a Speech, Theatre and Communications Professor for over 40 years in higher education, including 20 years as an academic dean, the last six of which were as Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University. After retiring from the Dean's office, he served as Pastor of Fairview United Methodist Church for eight years and as Associate Pastor at the First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches for five years.
Bill had an extensive career as an actor and director before becoming an academic dean. He created the original role of Job in The Book of Job, and performed the title role with the Everyman Players at the Brussels Worlds Fair in 1958. His voluminous lifetime performance history included roles such as Macbeth in Macbeth, Brutus in Julius Ceasar, and most recently Noah in Noah at the Lamplight Theatre in Nacogdoches.
In recent years, Bill had been actively working as a leader, sponsor, mentor and servant within the East Texas Emmaus community, a Christian outreach organization about which he was extremely passionate. He leaves behind an immense legacy of cultural, academic and Christian spiritual leadership. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, 5400 North Street.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 2012, at First United Methodist Church, located at 201 E. Hospital St. in Nacogdoches. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Nacogdoches.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, by calling (800) 873-6983 or by emailing [email protected].
Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com.
Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 22, 2013
DeLoss McGraw
sorry to discover that bill passed. i taught art under bill parsons' at northern kentucky state college in the early 70's. bill was a wonderful man. i have been looking for him for years - just to say hello. deloss mcgraw
April 16, 2013
terry england
Dear Sue and family, it has been many years since we have seen each other. I was a small child at Knoxville Baptist Church in Ky and Bill was a young minister called to preach there. My grandmother Maud Draper loved you both and I have a picture of you and she fixing Sunday dinner at her house. Then Bill became a professor at NKY university where I went and graduated in 1975. He was so respected while teaching there. My deepest sympathies to you and your family on your loss. Terry England, Falmouth KY
April 24, 2012
So sorry to hear about Bill. We were classmates at Humes High School. He was a good friend. Patsy Ann Newton Sullivan, Ft. Worth, Tx.
April 22, 2012
We have fond memories of Bill at Humes. Our deepest condolences.
Ken and Ann Hearn
Oak Ridge, TN
April 19, 2012
Sue, John and I extend sympathy to the family for your loss.
Doris and John Daniel
April 17, 2012
Carol and Bill Thomson
Sue, Bill was such a wonderful person, our prayers are with you.
April 16, 2012
Mel Montgomery
Dear Sue and family,
Jenny and I were so saddened to learn of Bill's passing. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to you and your family over your great loss. We cherish the years of having you as friends and neighbors. Bill was a multi- talented individual and was an excellent Dean, pastor, actor and Sunday Schoolteacher. It was a pleasure to have worked and worshiped under his leadership.
He will be greatly missed by many. God bless you and your family.
Mel and Jenny Montgomery
Huntsville, Texas
April 16, 2012
Dear Kathy and Family Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. My prayers are with you at this time.
Beverly Johnson
April 15, 2012
I First Meet Dr.Parson Emmaus Walk 99 and he will be missed !!!!!
Daniel Hagan
April 15, 2012
Richard Wrench
Bill convinced me to attend Emmaus. I am grateful. I respect and admire him.
April 15, 2012
Marti Byrd
Sue my prayers are with you and your family.
April 14, 2012
Frank McCarter
We haven't seen you and Bill for 9 years, but the memories of good times together are still ours. You and your family have our sincere sympathy. Norma and Frank McCarter
April 14, 2012
Bethany Spurrier
Dear Sue, I know that times are tough right now and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family to see this through. As we all know, God only gives us as much as we can handle, and you have so many friends to help you along the way! I will miss Bill's smile and 'Hello"! Love, Bethany
April 14, 2012
Gary Johnson
Bill will certainly be missed. I still remember a sermon he gave at an Emmaus team meeting, which focused on the blessings we enjoy in our country. He painted a magnificent picture of the "fruited plain" as in the song "America the Beautiful". His conviction in God's blessings and his speaking skill projected a strong feeling of thankfulness in everyone that heard that sermon. I won't ever forget that sermon or what a wonderful person Bill was.
Thank you, Bill, for being such a good influence on all of us. And we pray that his family can find some comfort in knowing the good effect that Bill had on us and his community.
April 13, 2012
Kathy and Family
Our entire Firm in CT is so sorry to hear the news. We cannot believe how fast everything changed. At least you were able to be there.
Please take comfort in the fact that he did not suffer too long and he is in a better place. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mark DeFelice, Dave Banti and all your co-workers at the Firm
April 13, 2012
Dear Sue, Kathy, John and to the entire Parsons/Gilbert families it is with a heavy heart we have learned of the passing of your beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and friend, Bill was truly a gift to this world, one who touched many lives throughout his years, may you find comfort in the memories that will live on forever, keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, With Love, Gloria, Gershon and Ariel Hayat.
April 13, 2012
We are so sorry to hear of your loss of such a great man.Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Paige Whiteside and Duane and Tracey Bunce (Dallas, Tx, cousins of Tana Parsons)
April 13, 2012
Bill was my Dean when I was hired in the Art Department and my neighbor in the Pinecrest subdivision. He and Sue are pillars of First Methodist Church.
I valued our relationship and miss him.
Hugs and love to you, dear Sue.
Jill Carrington (Nacogdoches, TX)
April 13, 2012
Bill Royle
Sue,
My prayers are with you.
April 12, 2012
PeggyJane Barfield-Cook
In Memory of a wonderful man.
Dr. William "Bill" Parsons. A kind and caring man.
PeggyJane Barfield-Cook
April 12, 2012
PeggyJane Barfield-Cook
Dearest Sue and Family,
It is with a sad and heavy heart that I try to express my great love for you and Dr. Parsons. He was always so loving and caring. When you all first came to Fairview Methodist Church, we were all so thrilled to have the two of you. Dr. Parsons leadership was such a wonderful gift. God Bless You in this time of great stress and sadness. My prayers are with you.
PeggyJane Barfield-Cook
2208 Center Rd
Nacogdoches. Tx
April 12, 2012
We were so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of sorrow. We love you all,
Suzanne and Gary Bailey and Family
April 12, 2012
Wanda Cuniff
Dear Sue and family, may God give you all peace and comfort as you mourn Dr. Parsons. I wanted to tell you one reason he was special to me: when I was firs ordained 5 years ago, he made me feel so very welcome to the Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance, and was always encouraging and positive. I was hoping to see him as Noah. I know he is brightening hearts in Heaven. Blessings, Wanda Cuniff
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Funeral services provided by:
Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
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