Wylvan Basil Parker

On July 4, 2021, Wylvan Basil Parker went to be with the Lord, having fought a long, hard battle with lung disease. He left behind his wife and best friend of nearly 54 years, Anita Boyer Parker, as well as two cherished sons and their wives, Brian D. Parker and wife Lori Tollett Parker of Knoxville and Jason S. Parker and wife Bettina Johnson of Whitwell. Papa dearly loved and was so proud of his grandchildren too—Bryce, Barrett, Bellamy, and Savanna who each brought him great joy.Wylvan was born January 1944, to Rev Samuel B Parker and wife Miriam Peebles Parker, both deceased.

He joined the United Methodist Church as at early age and was especially active at Trinity UMC in Arlington, Texas where the family lived for most of their married life. He lived by his strong Christian beliefs. During his early years, the family moved to new clergy appointments in Clayton, Verona, Joy and for his high school years to Princeville, IL where he lettered and won awards in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field.At Bradley University in Peoria, IL, he earned a B.S. in education then a M.A. in administration and supervision in 1970 earning Phi Kappa Phi honors.

At the beginning of his career, he taught and coached in Peoria before becoming an Assistant Dean of Men at Bradley. In 1971, he began a long career at the University of Texas at Arlington, advancing to Assistant V.P. Management Services and Director of Housing before retiring in 2010. A few years later, the couple moved to Tennessee to be near their children and grandchildren.Family will receive friends Saturday 10-11am at Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel with a service to follow at 11am, Rev. Larry Trotter, officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant Forest Cemetery.Family welcomes donations to the American Lung Association or to Concord United Methodist Church in memory of Wylvan.