DR. JOE PARSONS
ADA-Graveside services for Dr. William Joseph Parsons, 87, Ada, are 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Weleetka, Oklahoma, Rev. John Haynes will officiate. The family will receive friends at East Central University in the Sterling Williams Foundation and Alumni Center, 230 S. Francis from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Dr. Parsons died Monday, October 24, 2011 at an assisted living center in Ada. He was born February 2, 1924 in Pharoah, Oklahoma to Carl and Jessie Dee Rickman Parsons. He attended Konawa grade school and graduated from Pharoah High School. He received a Bachelor's and Master's degree from East Central State College, and a Doctorate from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
He married Harol Deane Haney on February 2, 1952 in Weleetka. She preceded him in death on July 19, 2002 in Ada. Dr. Parsons served as principal of both Pharoah and Graham High Schools before moving to the Weleetka Public Schools where he served as Superintendent of Schools. In 1966, he joined the East Central State College Department of Education, where in addition to teaching, he enjoyed supervising student teachers. While at East Central, Dr. Parsons also served as Vice President for Student Services/Dean of Students, Vice President for Development/University Services and Personnel, and as Interim University President from 1988-1989. Dr. Parsons was elected to serve on the Ada City Council, served as Mayor of Ada and was an active member of the Ada Lions Club. He served as President of the Ada Chamber of Commerce in 1980, and was elected to the East Central University Educator's Hall of Fame in 2010. Dr. Parsons was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ada and he had served in the U. S. Army during World War II in the Normandy Invasion.
Survivors include two daughters, Paula Parsons Kedy and her husband Mark of Ada, and Penny Parsons Martin and her husband David of Ada; a son, Patrick Parsons and his wife Evelyn of Edmond; five grandchildren, Scott Kedy, Markie Martin, Margo Martin, Ford Parsons and Gage Parsons; his sister, Gwen Kirk of Joplin, MO; and a brother-in-law, Bill McGarr of Weleetka.
Bearers will be Pat Parsons, Mark Kedy, David Martin, Scott Kedy, Ford Parsons and Gage Parsons.
The family says those who wish may make memorials to the East Central University Foundation, P. O. Box Y-8, Ada, OK 74821.
Obituaries may be viewed and online condolences sent to criswellfh.com.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada