Willis S. Parsons

Willis S. Parsons passed away on Sept. 3, 2012 from complications of diabetes. Willis was born Jan. 6, 1927 to Willis B. Parsons and Eugenia Belle Parsons at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, CA. He grew up in mining towns in Nevada that even then were ghost towns, he went to Pershing High School in Lovelock, NV but left to join the Navy in WW II before graduation. He served on the cruiser USS Fresno and the destroyer USS Wallace L. Lind. He was especially proud of serving on the battleship USS Iowa during the Korean War. He married Marjorie E. Tate on May 5, 1950 in San Diego, CA. He graduated from San Diego State College in 1951. Willis went to work at White Sands Missile Range in late 1952 where he worked as an electrical engineer until his retirement in the mid 80's. Willis with his wife Marjorie was instrumental in starting the Dona Ana Association of Retarded Citizens in Oct. 1961. He was active in the Gideons International for many years and also in the several churches that he attended including Church on the Rock where he was a member when he died. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Beth Scilacci, Frances Rackley, Eva Bartholomew and Virla May Parsons. He is survived by his wife Marjorie E. Parsons, his sister Donna White, his 3 children Marjorie A. Henson (Doug), David S. Parsons and Nancy E. Coggins (Marlon), his grandchildren: Christopher Coggins, Matthew Coggins (LeeAnn) and John Henson (Jennifer), 12 great-grandchildren also survive him. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012 at Getz Funeral Home. A graveside service will be at 10 am on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery with Pastor Don Shockley officiating. The US Navy will provide military honors. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Gideons International. PDF Printable Version