Charles William Parker, 95 of Highland died Sunday March 10, 2019.

Charles was born to Eugene “Spike” and Florence “Flossie” Street Parker on August 31, 1923 in Highland, Kansas not 1 ½ blocks from the home he lived in for 90 years. Charlie Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 5 sisters, two brothers, son-in-law Scott Souder, a great grand-daughter and his beloved wife of 67 years, Nadine Marie (Nickels) Parker. Survivors include sister Helen Gilmore of Highland, sons, Mike (Mari Ann) Parker of Highland, Chris (Katy) Parker of rural Stockton, Missouri and daughter Linda Ann Souder of Wildwood, Missouri, seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles enjoyed growing up in Highland with many friends and family and would spend hours sharing memories of those wonderful years with his family, friends and visitors. He attended Highland’s grade school, high school and spent a year at Highland Junior College before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in WW II serving in England as a bombardier/navigator in B-24 bombers. After the war he married Nadine Nickels, the love of his life, in 1956 in Indianapolis, Indiana. They soon bought the house he grew up in from his father, living there the rest of their lives. He was appointed postmaster of the Highland post office in 1946, the position he held until his retirement from the postal service. Later, he served as Highland City Clerk for seven years until forced to retire from the position the result of losing his sight from Macro-degeneration.

Charles became a member of the Highland Christian Church after his marriage and served the church as an elder and church treasurer for many years. He and Nadine enjoyed membership in the Sunday school PEP class and loved socializing with the class members at monthly class parties held at various members homes or the church. They were life-long friends with Sid Hargis, Bill Crabtree and Virgil Bauer families and spent every New Year’s Eve together for over 65 years as well as many summer vacation trips. Charles took up fishing after retirement from the post office and spent many days and nights for years on the river and pond banks of northeast Kansas with friends Chuck Miller, Dave Simmons and Leonard Blevins catching fish ( or not), swapping tales and pulling tricks on one another.

Charles was a past member and president of the USD #425 school board in Highland during the 1960’s . He was also a member of Dillon-Bales American Legion Post #358 of Highland. He was one of the founding roster of the Highland Pride organization and as the city clerk was instrumental in helping to form the organization for Highland.

He enjoyed working with his hands and remodeled their home and built and installed numerous kitchen cabinets for friends and relatives as well as his garage and famous front lawn tree-house for grandson Andy.

Visitation will be at the Highland Christian Church Friday March 15, 2019 at 10 am with the service in the church at 11 a.m. Tony French and Tom Carter will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at the Highland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Highland Christian Church Women’s Council or Macro-degenerative Eye Research, sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 33, 66035.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Thursday.

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com