William Archie Parks

William Archie Parks, of Lake Limestone, passed away at Providence Health Center in Waco on Sunday, July 27, 2014, at age 84. Visitation will be Thursday, July 31, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, August 1, 2014, in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Johnny Layton officiating. Burial will follow in Lost Prairie Cemetery. Pallbearers will be William (Chad) Parks, B. J. Rudder, Brent Rudder, Cody Langley, Keith Thompson, and Greg Thompson. Archie was born October 22, 1929 to Bernard and Maudie Rae Parks in Silsbee, where he grew up and graduated from high school. Archie served in the U. S. Army from 1948 through 1952, with time spent in both North and South Korea, which included two miserable winters through 1950 to 1952. He was one of seven who volunteered to train for bomb disposal, was also a diver, and ended his service as Master Sergeant. He was proud to say that they did not lose any of his fellow soldiers during his service period. Archie worked 32-1/2 years for Shell Chemical in Deer Park. Archie was united in marriage with Jimmie Carroll in 1982. They moved to Lake Limestone in 1986, where Archie enjoyed life at the lake and their neighbors. He loved hunting, boating, fishing, and big fish fries with family and friends. Archie also enjoyed flea markets and garage sales. He loved talking to people and also tinkering; he was happy to fix anything for anyone and carried a tablet in his pocket to keep notes. And he especially loved his grandchildren, but also wanted to stop and visit with every child he saw. He was a member of the Lake Limestone Baptist Church. Archie was preceded in death by parents; his brothers, Leon Parks and Reuben Parks; sister Billie Johnson; and his wife Jimmie (2012.) He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Robert and Norma Parks of Baytown, Kevin and Jackie Parks of Vermont, Gary Langley of Hawaii, and Darrel and Denise Langley of Baytown; daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Bobby Rudder of Groesbeck. His eleven grandchildren are: William Chad Parks, Chelsy Parks, Maggie Parks, Grace Parks, Tera Thompson, B. J. Rudder, Brent Rudder, Jami Langley, James Langley, Brandi Langley, and Cody Langley; and also there are twelve great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brothers: Sidney Parks of Silsbee, Lester Parks of Silsbee, Joe Parks of Beaumont, and Charlie Parks and wife Sonya of Kingwood, and a sister, Anita Leonard of Thornton. And two dogs that became part of the family in the past few years: Jimbo and Willie. The family wishes to express their special thanks to Terri, Glynda, and Andrea.