William (Bill) Lester Parsons

November 13, 1939 - December 29, 2023

William Lester Parsons has peacefully passed following a brief illness… Born in Albany, Oregon on November 13, 1939, he grew up on his family's dairy farm tending to his beloved cows and graduated from Albany Union High School in 1958 and then attended Oregon State University. In 1960, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Kay Mundt. Bill and Sharon, married for 54 years, raised four children and lived throughout the US during Bill's career in the wood products industry. Returning to Albany in 1984, Bill lived a full life, including his annual birthday trips to Reno, until it was his time on Friday, December 29, 2023. His passing leaves us all deeply saddened - his sense of humor, playful nature, and the slightly mischievous twinkle in his eyes are just a few of the things that will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sharon (2014) and is survived by his four children, Cindy Harms, of Albany; Kathy Hair and her husband John Hair, of Ukiah, CA; Merrilee Parsons of Bend, OR; and Anthony Parsons, of Eugene along with grandchildren Amanda Hair, Daniel Hair, Jessica Harms, and Serafina Quercini. His great-grandchildren include Madison, Rylee, Brenden, Jonathan, and Karsyn. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Percy Lester and Mary Alice (Cox) along with his brothers, Richard and Roy and his first granddaughter, Ashley.

In his younger years, Bill loved singing and performing, his high school summers working on a ranch in Montana, being a member of the River Rats car club, and participating in a variety of sports. During his career, Bill was successful, dedicated and hardworking. And in his later years, Bill enjoyed spending time in his vegetable garden, collecting antiques and trying his luck at the slot machines.

Please join us for a Graveside Service celebrating the life of a committed husband, father, brother, gramps and friend on Monday, January 8 at 12:00pm at Willamette Memorial Park in Millersburg, Oregon. Prior to the service there will be a public viewing available from 9:30am - 11:00am at AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home as well as a reception immediately following the service back at AAsum-Dufour.

Memorial Contributions may be made out to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice.

Billy Blue Eyes was loved by many. Peace to him.