William “Bill” Hillyer Parker, 70, passed away peacefully June 11, 2017, at Chateau de Notre Dame in New Orleans, following his brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born and raised in Monroe, as the son of Judge Hillyer Sealy Parker and Helen (Womack) Parker.

Bill leaves behind his loving wife of 47 years, Patricia (Pattie Jo) Pugh Parker; son, Hillyer Parker and his wife Dawn Gilmore Parker of Atlanta, Ga., as well as his daughter Josephine Aline Parker Chocheles, her husband Chris Chocheles and two grandchildren Parker and Addison Chocheles who all reside in New Orleans. He is also survived by his older brother, Bruce Stephens (Steve) Parker and his wife Dr. Geni Miller of Durango, Colo.

After graduating from Neville High School in 1964, he attended LSU where he met Pattie Jo and ultimately received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northeast Louisiana University. After several years of serving and protecting the community with the Monroe Police Department, his family moved to Bogalusa to be part of his wife’s family floral business. He then started his own wholesale horticulture business, Parker’s Flower Company in 1978.

Bill was well known for growing the highest quality poinsettias, chrysanthemums, and his signature crop of Easter lilies. He was the former president of the Rotary Club in Bogalusa. When not in the greenhouses he built, or occupied as a relentless do-it-yourselfer, Bill was an avid photographer and enjoyed numerous outdoor hobbies as a private pilot, scuba diver, hunter and fisherman. He also spent countless hours reading about history, hitting the gym, watching movies or cooking a great meal. Bill especially loved playing with his grandchildren and giving surprise gifts at Christmas. His relentless work ethic and perseverance are traits that his family knows all too well and are very appreciative.

The family wishes to thank the Chateau de Notre Dame Hospice staff in New Orleans for their loving care and support, as well as the staff at St. Tammany Hospital and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Covington.

A brief visitation from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. at Poole Ritchie Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 14, in Bogalusa will be followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. Bill will be interred at Lake Lawn Cemetery in New Orleans. Memorial donations may be made to donate.cancer.org in lieu of flowers.