William Marvin Parks
William Marvin Parks, 94, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday June 5, 2025.
He was born on Oct. 17, 1930, at home in Chattanooga. He was a resident of Harrison. Marvin was very independent, even at a young age where he moved from living with one set of grandparents to the other when he was six years old because he wanted to live with Grandma Parks. He joined the Marine Corps which made all of the difference in the world to him, he was around men and not boys. He learned a lot working beside those Marines that he took with him the rest of his life. He was in Korea from the landing at Inchon through the Chosin Reservoir where he was the first one to cross the bridge that had over a 1000-foot drop after they had erected a temporary bridge from air dropped sections. He said someone had to go across first to test to see if it would hold and went across it with his bull dozer, he was later wounded in June of 1951 and came back to the US, he remained in the Marine Corps until February of 1952.
After the Marine Corps and for the majority of his life, he was a Union Brick Mason. He married Freida for love and shared a very long life together. They had three children together whom they loved dearly. Marvin coached both Tim and Bill in baseball and football at Lakeside supporting their choices in sports and providing encouragement along the way. He also looked out for other players, picking some up or taking them home after practices or games, ensuring they could also participate in sports.
He was a member of the UTC Archeology team; he was president of the Chattanooga Archeology Society and shared this passion with his children. Marvin raised and trained Champion Show Dogs. He shared this with his children at shows with his Black and Tan hounds, it was a family event. He also raised and sold litters of puppies that went across the US including Alaska and Washington State. Later in life he resumed his love for target shooting and reloading and has been an active member and officer of the Chattanooga Rifle Club. He always looked forward to the weekly pistol matches, which he attended the day prior to his death. He was also very active in the Marine Corps League, participating in Toys for Tots drives and working the Golf Tournament earlier this year. He is also an official “Devil Dog” which he enjoyed. He was always doing something that brought him joy!
Marvin loved life and his family. He is survived by his children, Tim Parks, Alethea Parks Thompson, Bill (Sherry) Parks; grandchildren, Erika Thompson, Preston Thompson, Sydney Parks, and Brantlee Parks; and great grandchild, Jasmine Thompson.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10, at Chattanooga Funeral Home – Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tn. Burial will follow at the New McDonald Cemetery. The family will receive friends, from 4–7 p.m. on Monday, June 9.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to be made in his name to the Marine's Toys for Tots program. Checks can be made out to Toys for Tots-Chattanooga and sent to Sgt. Maj. Ernest Seagle, Marine Corps League Det. 519, PO Box 64, Sale Creek, Tn. 37373.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com.