Billy Parrish

Billy Worth Parrish, age 87, ended his courageous battle against pancreatic cancer and entered the arms of Jesus on July 6, 2019 at his home in Portsmouth. He was born the "knee-high" child of John and Lola Parrish of Johnston County, NC where he learned about hard work on the farm. He met Shirley Batten and they wed on June 12, 1953. Billy was drafted into the United States Army in 1954 where he fought in the Korean War. He retired as a supervisor from the City of Portsmouth in 1980 and as a pipefitter from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Shop 56 in 1997. He was a faithful member of Highland Baptist Church for 57 years, and a lifetime member of Lake Drummond Masonic Lodge #178 and Western Branch Masonic Lodge #189. Anyone that came to know Billy realized that he loved God, his family, his country, hard work, helping others, cutting grass and tending his garden. He was a humble man that thanked God for his many blessings and asked forgiveness for his shortcomings daily. Billy was predeceased by his parents, his three brothers: Lee Douglas, Lebert Braston and M.G. (Tink) Parrish, a sister-in-law Grace Parrish, and two brothers-in-law: Donald Jones and Marshall Holloman. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him but especially his devoted wife of 66 years, Shirley; a son, Larry Parrish and his wife Linda; a daughter, Shirley Chetister and her husband Harry; a daughter, Darlene Tanner and her husband Jack. He was “Poppa” to three grandchildren: Courtney Chetister, Dylan and Kendall Tanner: sisters-in-law Hersey Mae and Sue Parrish, Dorothy Holloman and Rose Jones. He was lovingly known as “Uncle Billy” to Gary Parrish (Connie), Brenda Placenti (Joey), Johnny Parrish (Susan), Connie and Thomas (Tina) Parrish, Bobby Holloman (Debbie), Ricky Holloman (Jonah), John “Worth” Jones, Janet Tucker (Norman) and Christi Brubaker (Scott). His Pastor, Kevin Wilson (Robin), his church family, his neighbors in Highland Park, and special family friends: Wesley & Edna Whitt, David & Linda Mason, Bob Hollister, Garfield Justice and Chris Heilman. The family wishes to thank all the many friends for their visits, phone calls and cards throughout Billy’s illness. Your love and concern was such an encouragement. Special thanks to nurse Kathleen Cox and Chaplain Don of the Sentara Hospice team for their care of Billy during his last weeks of life. A funeral service with Masonic Rites will be held at Loving Funeral Home on July 10 at 2 pm with visitation one hour prior. Burial with Military honors will be at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens with a reception to follow at Temple Baptist Church.