Visitation
Service
Billy Joe Parlier, 86, of Morganton, NC passed away on Monday September 9, 2024 at Amorem Hospice. He was a character, someone who loved good conversation, playing many holes of golf, and he loved to make you laugh.
Billy was born on March 7, 1938, in Caldwell County to the late Lena Carrigan Killian. Billy attended Gateway Bible Church and St. Peters Methodist Church. He grew up in Maiden, NC and attended Appalachian State University where he obtained a degree in Industrial Art. He was a veteran of the US Navy and faithfully served his country from 1956-1960. Billy was a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the state of NC for thirty plus years. He was also a shop teacher in Ohio. Billy was an artist. He was a painter, a metal and wood worker, and he loved to paint cars.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Lena Carrigan Killian.
Billy is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Elizabeth Parlier; children, Billy Parlier, Robert Byron Little (Starling), David Richard Little (Emily), William Ralph Little (Lisa), Ruthe Pavone (John), Kathy Dover, and Carole Mull (John). He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; brother, Earl “Rooster” Killian (Pam); sisters Patricia “Sissy” Deaton and Cherie Berry.
The Celebration of Life for Billy will be at 2pm, Monday, September 16, 2024 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with Rev. Brian Elwell officiating. Burial will follow after the service. Military honors will be provided by the US Navy.
The Family asks that you wear your craziest hat in honor of Bill “Pop”. In lieu of flowers please give a donation to Gateway Bible Church: 222 Believers Way Morganton, NC 28655.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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I loved Bill and truly enjoyed when I got to see him when he came into the Credit Union on Enola Road. He left a good mark in this world and blessed my life for sure. He painted a picture for me of my grandson’s plane and his first solo flight he took when he turned 16. I know I will see you again one day Bill… and I bet you have some wonderful images to paint now. Love to your sweet wife and family. Gayle ( retired- formally front desk at SECU)
Elizabeth & family, Praying that you all feel God's loving embrace and peace of heart and mind in the days ahead. Much love to you all, Rebekah Poplin Gateway Bible Church Family
Bill was quite the character! He will be greatly missed by his "work out" buddies at Phifer YMCA!
Billy is my older brother and was the best brother a sister could ever hope to have. Watching him and talking to him as we lived our lives, I knew he was also the best husband and father to Elizabeth and their many children and now grandchildren and great grandchildren that any family could want or need! He always made me laugh and helped me with his wisdom in raising my blended family. I will not be able to attend his funeral because I can’t travel now, but I will always travel through the rest of my life with him in my heart. I don’t morn the loss of him from my life, I celebrate his presence in my life and thank God for allowing me to have Billy for my brother. ❤️
So long to one of the most entertaining men I have ever met. Even though he was a little redundant on a lot of (earlier in life) jokes, he was still hilarious! Phifer gym was a meeting place for a number of his friends and we socialized more than we worked out. He looked great in his orange knee high socks or whatever color he chose to wear that day. His "Trump" shirts and hats and possibly some other SAYINGS he had on his shirt was always a feature of his. Bad hair day at the gym would find Bill with a cap with tons of hair sprouting out of the cap. Crazy hat day was a ritual we had every so often. "That reminds me of a joke" would pop out of his mouth during a group conversation and he would tell a joke that had no resemblance of what we were talking about! He could take a joke on him as well as give it back. He could write a book on things that he did growing up.....That he denied doing. We would go gold mining up in Rutherfordton and spend more than we ever panned out of the creek ....accept for the day I found a large flake of gold and we put it in a vile that Bill carried with him. Guess what.....we lost it before we got back to Morganton. He will be missed by us at the gym but we are so proud of him for giving up his shell here on earth to get his wings and brand new perfect body and spirit as he passes on to his perfect place in heaven! Hope to see you when we make the journey. Johnny Burnette
Bill, you are truly missed, however, we will see each other again in Heaven. I’m sure if there’s a paint brush, easel, etc you will be painting more beautiful pictures like you did in our Art Group. I love you my friend. Tessa
My sweet brother, Billy...I am so glad we had the last 2 1/2 years together every Thursday to paint pictures for four hours and then go to a late lunch somewhere in Valdese. We grew closer than we have ever been, and I thank God for those happy times...and I thank God for you, Billy. You were a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and a good friend to lots of people. I love you and will see you again.
I visited my mom in room 103 when your dad was at Grace Heights we never introduced ourselves , but I remember you visiting your dad and your trump shirts , my husband and I are so very sorry to hear about your dad , you , mom and family will be in our thoughts and prayers