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ROCKY MOUNT, NC – Dr. Walter Raleigh Parker, Jr., age 93, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

Born in Woodland, NC on January 25, 1930, he was the son of the late Dr. Walter Raleigh Parker, Sr. and Mary Ella Copeland Parker. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Gwendolyn Copeland Parker Reinhardt and Margaret “Mart” Parker Hill; and his niece, Gwendolyn Lassiter.

A member of First United Methodist Church of Rocky Mount, Walter devoted his life to education. He was a graduate of Old Wake Forest, received his master’s from East Carolina University and his PhD from UNC Chapel Hill. He loved his hometown of Woodland and cherished his family.

Walter is survived by his partner of 57 years, Bill Thomas of Rocky Mount; his nieces, Mary Iva Gray and husband Jim, and Jane Wolfskill and husband Ken; his nephew, Bill Hill; and a host of great and great-great nieces and nephews.

A funeral service to celebrate Walter’s life will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. A graveside service will be held following the service at 2:00 p.m. at the Old Woodland Cemetery in Woodland, NC. Visitation with the family will be prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. inside the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Woodland Baptist Church, 112 W Main St, Woodland, NC 27897 or to First United Methodist Church of Rocky Mount, 100 S Church St, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.