William James Parham, Jr.
William was born on April 18, 1934 in Salisbury to the late William J. Parham, Sr. and Mildred Jordan Parham. Later in life he discovered his true soul mate and married Vera Roberts on November 5, 1976.
He was raised in Salisbury, NC where he received his education at J C Price High School and received an AAS from Otero Junior College. La Junta, CO in 1979. He was a certified alcoholism consultant with the State of NC for the Piedmont Mental Health Area in Concord, NC and served five years with the Mecklenburg County Seventh Street Center & Gastonia Lincoln Mental Health Area. Bill was also an avid “Pyrographist” (wood-burning artist) who attended and sold many of his art work at various arts and crafts shows throughout North Carolina.
A veteran of the United States Navy and United States Air Force which he retired from after 20 years of service as an Air Force Sergeant. He is also a member of the USAF Aircrew Life Support/Aircrew Flight Equipment Veterans and Retirees Group and traveled to many reunions until his health started to decline.
He has reunited in Heaven with his parents, brothers Sammy Duncan & Thomas Parham, sister Peggy Duncan Williams, his foster parents, Dr. Samuel E. Duncan, Jr. & Ida Hauser Duncan and his son-in-law Robert Lee Davis.
Bill leaves to cherish and celebrate his life of service and commitment: his loving wife Vera Parham, daughters Tracie Somerville, (Salisbury) and Peggy Davis (of the home), sons Curry Parham, Sr. (Beverly) of Santa Maria, CA and Bruce Parham (Salisbury), beloved granddaughter Deanna Somerville (Salisbury), and grandsons Curry Parham, II & Christopher Lynwood of Santa Maria, CA; Deanna Martin (mother of Curry, Sr., Bruce & Tracie) (Salisbury), many nieces and nephews, a host of close friends and his USAF Aircrew family.
Those of you who knew and was stationed with Bill at his last base probably remember that he retired as a SSgt after losing two stripes. As a TSgt with a line number for MSgt, Bill was caught driving while intoxicated after leaving his promotion celebration and subsequently lost his line number and was unfortunately reduced to the rank of SSgt. How many of you can say you were lucky enough to not get caught driving from the NCO club after too many drinks? I know I’m guilty. This unfortunate incident happened to the wrong person. Bill was a heck of a nice guy who was liked by everybody!