Bill Wade Parkin

It is with great sadness and joy that I, Bill Parkin, left this world after just 50 years on July 26, 2025. Sadness because my wonderful, patient wife Gwen, who is my rock and soulmate is left behind to pick up the pieces without me. It doesn’t seem fair that we didn’t get the chance to grow old together, collaborate on more DIY projects, watch more movies, or go camping and fishing again. My parents Stan, June, and Colleen are grieving in an overwhelming way that I understand far too well as losing a child is excruciatingly painful. I pray that my wife and parents will take comfort in knowing that our family is sealed together for time and all eternity in the temple and one day we will be reunited.

To all of our family, friends, and neighbors, I want to say that I love you and miss you as well. I have loved all the time we have been able to spend together talking about movies, the Wild West, DIY projects, military stories and facts (Pearl Harbor, my time spent in the army, general military facts, etc.), sharing jokes and funny stories, random trivia, and so much more. You are all amazing people and have blessed my life in many different ways. I look forward to meeting you again someday in the future.

I am ecstatic to finally be reunited with our son Brady, after 20 long years apart. I have given him the biggest hug possible! I have heard his beautiful laugh again which is just as wonderful and I remembered. One day he will also be with me to greet his Mommie Gwen and his bonus Mommie Becky with even bigger hugs! Brady was an angel on this earth that was here to teach others how to love unconditionally and to bring a smile to everyone he met. Brady asks that you remember to love each other and bring joy and comfort to people around you.

I am also happy to be reunited with my friend Stu who helped me scare the kids on Halloween, my grandparents Sharp, Emma, Bill (who I was named for), and Rama, my Uncle Bill (who I was also named for) and stepbrother Matt who were heroes that gave their lives in service of our country, more than a dozen Aunts and Uncles from both Gwen’s and my sides of our families, my brother-in-law Norval, sister-in-law Juliet, brother-in-law Richard, and perhaps even my father-in-law Grant that liked to tease us all so much, but never did get that million dollars he kept asking for.

Gwen and I struggled to get through viewings and funerals after the trauma of Brady’s death so there will be no formal services. Instead, a celebration of life will be hosted by the West Point 10th Ward located at 2852 West 300 North in West Point, UT on August 16, 2025 between 11:00 and 1:00. This will be an informal gathering (including casual dress) with good food provided by our wonderful ward members. It is far more important to us that our loved ones gather to share memories, laugh, cry just a little, and laugh some more. Our knowledge, relationships, and memories are all we get to take with us after this life. I want you to laugh and remember the good times because this separation is temporary.

In lieu of flowers, please make a tax-deductible donation to my son’s charity, Brades Place, which provides support to children with complex medical needs and their families. They help families coordinate the complex medical expertise that is needed. They also help to identify gaps in care, provide additional education about the medical conditions, and provide holistic and palliative care for the entire family. This would mean far more to me and Gwen than any flowers as the gift would bless others in need.

https://bradesplace.org/donate/

Funeral Directors: Gillies Funeral Chapel, Brigham City, Utah. You may send condolences to www.gilliesmortuary.com