Obituary of William Ray Parke

William Parke, age 67, of Chapel Hill passed away at his home on December 27, 2018.

          Bill is survived by his wife, Donna; sons Jonathan and Matthew of Chapel Hill; his brother, Robert and wife Candes of Port Angeles, Washington; his nephew Raymond and wife Amanda; as well as his niece Kathy and husband Dan Smith, all of Port Angeles.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl Ray Parke and Bernice Jewel Parke (Finnerty) and his grandparents. 

          Bill was born in Port Angeles, Washington.  After graduation from high school he attended the University of Washington in Seattle where he graduated with a degree in mathematics.  On August 25^th of 1973, Bill and Donna were married.  In New Haven, Connecticut Bill Attained his PhD in economics from Yale University.  Bill began his teaching career at the University of California in Santa Barbara.  Bill spent a year as a visiting professor at the University of Rochester in New York.  His next professional career move was to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he has dedicated thirty years to his students. 

          When Bill was not teaching in the summers, he would return to Port Angeles to hike in the Olympic National Park where he found great beauty and joy.  He also appreciated going to Colonial Williamsburg where he was able to make long-time friendships with the musicians, other visitors and the interpreters. 

          A visitation and funeral service will be held on Friday, January 11, 2019 at Walker’s Funeral Home in Chapel Hill and will be officiated by The Rev. Dr. John Tucker of Chesterfield, Virginia.  The visitation will begin at 4:00PM with the funeral service to begin in the chapel at 5:00PM.  Refreshments will be served at Walker’s immediately following the service.  Burial will be at Mt. Angeles Cemetery in Port Angeles. 

          In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity or a local animal shelter. 

          The Parke family is under the care of Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.