William Parker (bishop)

The Rt Revd William Alonzo Parker (31 January 1887-28 April 1982) was a former Anglican Bishop of Shrewsbury.^[1]

He was born on 31 January 1887^[2] He was son of Mr W.H. Parker of Alkrington, Lancashire.^[3] He was educated at Manchester University.

During the First World War he served in the Royal Tank Corps, which he joined in 1916, and was Mentioned in Despatches.^{[3] [4]} He left the army in 1924^[3] and completed his university studies, graduating as Bachelor of Commerce in 1926 and Master of Arts (MA) in 1939.^[1]

Ordained in 1929, he was a Curate at Sheffield Cathedral 1928-30 and then Bishop’s Chaplain at St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem 1931-37. He was then successively Vicar of St Matthew, Gosport, 1937–42. At the beginning of the Second World War he was a Senior Chaplain of the Forces (1939-40).^[1]

He was Vicar of St Chad, Shrewsbury 1942-46^[5] before being appointed Archdeacon of Stafford in 1945, a post he held until his elevation to the Episcopate 14 years later. He was also Chaplain of the Order of St John from 1955-60, and later Sub-Prelate of the Order, Provost of Denstone College 1960-67. He retired as Bishop in 1969.^[1]

In 1930 he married Ellen, daughter of the Reverend Robert Hodgson of Hooton Roberts, Yorkshire.^[3]

In retirement he lived at Church Stretton, Shropshire.^[6] He died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on 28 April 1982,^[7] aged 95.

Notes

1. Crockford's Clerical Directory 1975/6 Lambeth, Church House Publishing 0108153674
2. “Who was Who” 1897–2007 London, A & C Black, 2007 ISBN 978-0-19-954087-7
3. Who's Who 1982. A & C Black. p. 1693.}
4. The Times, Monday, 3 May 1982; pg. 10; Issue 61223; col G Right Rev W. A. Parker Obituary
5. Parish web-site
6. Who's Who 1982.Address given as 104 Stretton Farm Road, Church Stretton.
7. Shropshire Star, Saturday 1 May 1982, page 1 (First edition).