Please know we are thinking of you. May the beautiful memories you have of your father remain with you to help ease your loss. A father's love is only a thought away at any given moment.
We'll continue to keep you in our prayers.
Jennifer Whitmore 2008-12-27 04:26:55
Thoughts and prayers are with you ~ you were always a bright spot in my days at BRCC. May the love of our Lord and Savior comfort you at this difficult time.
Elizabeth Williams-Hanger 2008-12-27 07:00:10
Dear Bill
I was so sad when I read about the loss of your father. He holds a special place in my memory of Augusta; when I think of him I always remember how kind he was to me. I can still see him in the cadet bank on Wednesdays (?) cashing our checks so we could receive our allowances. When my father wasn’t timely on making deposits to my cadet account, your father would advance (or is that really “cover my over draft”?) against a future deposit. Your father was so gracious and considerate that I was never embarrassed or felt that my father had let me down. I am sure you will miss him very much.
my deepest sympathy
Harry..... AMA '70
Harold (Harry) Campbell 2008-12-27 11:27:16
Truly, the end of an error that knew and worked with General Roller has come to an end. I first met Col. Parkins in 1953 when he handed out my weekly allowance at that little window from his office, long before Col. Crum did it. He always had something interesting to say. or ask that I had to respond to before giving me my allowance. I'll miss him.
Luke Snyder '60
Luke Snyder 2008-12-27 11:30:47
Dear Friend, How do we say it better than this-when our friends hurt, we hurt with them? May the wonderful memories of your father sustain you, and may you lean on the three F's that we depend on in our gains and losses, i.e. faith, family, and friends. With fondness and sympathy, Bob & Eva
Bob and Eva Reeves 2008-12-27 17:19:19
Bill, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He made a strong and positive impact on so many of us as we struggled with our teenage years. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Daniel "Bud" Oakey, AMA '70 2008-12-28 11:35:41
He was a really special person and I'm sure family and friends will miss him. I'm impressed that he lived a long life. He made a positive impression on my teen years at AMA. So long Colonel!
Victor Adamus AMA '66 2008-12-28 12:12:43
I knew the Colonel as Captain Will in my AMA time, `47 - `50. I was fortunate to see him again at the 1998 Reunion. He was always kind and helpful to me, and I will keep him in my prayers.
Your Obedient Servant,
Bob Ayres `50
Robert Ayres 2008-12-28 13:57:40
You meant a great deal to all of us and were always willing to give that pep talk that helped so much. You are in the greatest hands of all now,rest in peace.
Lloyd Eastlack 2008-12-28 14:52:00
Bill: It is with deepest sympathy that I write this. Your father was indeed a great man. I had little fatherly guidance as a boy yet The Colonel always has the right "words of wisdon" that seemed to make everything ok. I am sure he touched hundreds of lives of which mine was but one. God be with you Bill. You have some huge shoes to fill. My prayers are with you.
Rex Rumley & Family
Columbus, Oh.
From Rex Rumley AMA '69 2008-12-28 15:21:47
dear bill: bev and I send our deepest condolences on the passing of your father, col. parkins, as I knew him. Truly a southern gentleman, a devoted husband and father, and probably the only person who knew how to cover the shorts, for General Roller and the cadets.
we are on our way to nashville and will not be able to attend services, but please know that we have you in our thoughts and prayers. son son son, so sad.
frank williamson 2008-12-28 17:14:31
Bill,
My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. It was my honor to have met your Dad at the reunions.
God Bless,
Bob Walton '65'
Bob Walton 2008-12-28 20:10:17
Bill, To me your Dad was the \"Gentleman\" in uniform at AMA. Always a happy greeting, always a pleasant smile. We will all miss him & will all share in your loss.
Donald Studer 2008-12-29 08:36:55
Bill, Your Dad was the most wonderful man on the planet. He loved you so much and was an inspiration to so many of us at AMA...however, he just had a good heart, was a man of his word and enjoyed life. The world just lost on of it's best...we'll miss him !!
My heartfelt sympathy accompany this message
Godspeed to you !!
Garry
Garry Granger 2008-12-29 08:54:13
Bill, I first met your Dad in 1953 when he handed out my weekly allowance at that little window from his office, long before Col. Crum did it. He always had something interesting to say that I had to respond to before giving me my allowance. I\'ll miss him. Anne and I want to express our sympathy to you and your family.
Luke
Luke Snyder 2008-12-29 09:31:25
Col Parkins was a true Officer and Gentleman - a role model for all that knew him at AMA. Rest in Peace.
William Paxton, '50 2008-12-29 12:04:15
Bill, your Dad was Captain Parkins when I was at AMA. When I was adjutant, he and I had a lot of things to do together and I enjoyed every minute with him. When you were born, I stood outside his office sending in "rats" to ask him for a cigar. After about the fifth new cadet invaded his office, your Dad poked his head out of the door to see who was sending in those cadets to see him. The last time I saw your Dad, we had a good laugh about that.
He was a dear person and when I was given an award my senior year, I asked him to present it to me. We will all miss him. Know that Nancy and I are thinking about you.
Bob
Bob Bradford, `50 2008-12-29 14:41:35
Billy,
I want to express my deepest sympathies for your loss. Your Dad was a big part of AMA and I will remember him always. His kindness and easy going nature was a great comfort in the military life of AMA.
I want you to know your Dad is just going to a better place and though it is hard now he will always be with you, everyday, like he has been. My Dad passed in 1990 and a day does\n't go by without my doing something that makes me think of him. Your love will keep him by your side.
I want you to know my love is by your side too, always.
Hope to see you soon my friend and let me know if I can do anything.
Your friend,team mate, & brother,
Nicky
Nick Syropoulos 2008-12-30 05:19:18
Billy,
Your dad was one of the kind and gentle men that I had the pleasure of knowing during my six year stay at AMA.
I know you have watched over him for the past few years and kept us all informed of his current condition at the reunions.
May he rest in peace and God bless you and your family.
Douglas W. Pennock AMA '72
Douglas W. Pennock 2008-12-30 05:20:20
Bill, it was always great to see the smile on your father's face. He certainly seemed at peace.
Thank you for sharing your confidence that he is with the Lord and enjoying the time with your mother.
May your memories of your father be great and lasting.
Chaplain Carl L. Smeltzer 2008-12-30 17:02:09
my thoughts and prayers to the family. I was at ama from 79-83.
mark boles 2008-12-31 09:27:33
Dear Billy,
I can't begin to understand the loss you must feel. Such a fine example of fatherhood was very evident in the unique bond you both shared. He was clearly very proud of you. My father passed about a week before the start of my first year in '63, so we were only starting to experience that deeper friendship that comes with age. But a Presbyterian minister from Scotalnd told me a few years later that he was then closer to me than my next breath. Time has proven that suggestion to be true.
