WILLIAM PARNELL, Obituary

HARLEM William V. "Bill" Parnell, 77, died Friday, March 15, 2002, at a Fort Belknap hospital due to heart- and cancer-related illnesses.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Presbyterian Church with burial following at the Harlem Cemetery with military honors by the Harlem V.F.W. Post.

Bill was born in Harlem to Roy and Emma (Bent) Parnell on Sept. 16, 1924. He was raised in the Harlem area and graduated from Harlem High School in 1942. In 1944 he joined the U.S. Navy and served in World War II. He was honorably discharged and returned to the family farm and ranch.

Bill married Helen Holmes on Feb. 22, 1947, in the United Methodist Church in Chinook.

Bill continued ranching until his death. Bill served on the ASCS Board and Soil Conservation for more than 20 years. He was also on the FHA board and was a charter member of the Harlem V.F.W.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Patty Schwartz in September 1989; an infant brother, Albert Parnell.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Parnell of Harlem; son-in-law, Roger Schwartz of Billings; brother, Tom Parnell of Harlem; several sisters- and brothers-in-law; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be sent to the Harlem VFW Post.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.