Obituary of William H. Parrott

Born on October 2, 1923 in Bowden, North Dakota to Bert and Ruth Parrott. Third child of six, he was raised in Staples Minnesota. He attended school and worked on the family farm until December of 1943 when Red joined the Army. He served his country in WWII for three years. He earned a purple heart and a medal of good conduct. Red almost never talked about his military service because his memories were painful ones. He returned to Staples, Minnesota in 1946 where he met and married the love of his life, Eileen M Cutler. They settled in Duluth where they spent the first ten years of their married lives. Red worked for the railroad. They had their first child, a daughter, in 1949 and in 1950 their first son was born. Three more sons were to follow, born in 1951, 1956 and 1961. In 1957 Red and Eileen moved their family to Washington State where Red found work as fitter. He was a wonderful provider, his family never wanted for essentials. In 1975 Red quit working for others and began a new adventure. He opened his own welding shop, bringing his oldest son into the business as it grew. They called the business B & B Welding. The business grew and Red was able to retire in 1985 knowing that he had succeeded. He sold his share of the business to his son and he and Eileen settled into retirement. Red and Eileen moved to Rochester, Washington in 1991. Although he had horses, cows, dogs, and cats most everywhere he lived, in Rochester he and Eileen built their own little “ranch”. He was silent about his ‘soft’ feelings most of the time, but his love for animals and people showed through in the things he did. His last two horses were both ‘rescued’ from situations that appeared, to him, to be less than ideal. He always had to have at least two cows, because they had to have company. His little dog, “Lucky”, was indeed “Lucky” because Red rescued him from the pound and they became best buddies. Eileen purchased little dog “Sassy” for herself and her first day in her new home the cat slapped “Sassy” and Red rescued her. “Sassy” was Red’s dog from that day on. Red was not a real outgoing person. He was quiet and kept most of his feelings inside. He expressed his love by doing for others. Eileen never had to put gas in her car because Red did it for her. He was always available to help repair things for his family. He was especially good at figuring out how to make things work. He protected his family with fierce intensity. Red loved his grandkids. He enjoyed taking them camping, giving them rides on the horses, tractor or backhoe. He gave the world’s best “Birthday spankings”, chasing the kids till he caught them, laying them over his lap, and pretending to really give them a spanking. He loved to tease and was especially fond of anyone who could give as well as take the teasing. Red left this earth to be with the Lord on October 22, 2006. He will be sorely missed by those he leaves behind. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Eileen Parrott, his daughter, Sandra (Gary) Chittenden, sons, Bill (Marci) Parrott, Rick (Suzanne) Parrott, Ken Parrott and Jeff Parrott, his eleven grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Red is also survived by one brother, Melvin (Margaret) Parrott and one sister, Dorleen Van Dorn.