Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries



James Parkhill
January 30, 1936 - July 13, 2021

Graveside services for James Parkhill were held on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 2pm at Shanks Cemetery in Kirvin. Bro. Steve Cowart officiated.

Mr. Parkhill passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest in Waco.

James Arthur Parkhill was born on January 30, 1937 in Gainesville to parents Arthur Houston and Oma Dorothy Crisp Parkhill. In 1955, he met his soulmate Shirley Willingham when he was just 18 and she was 16. They had a short courtship which led to 66 devoted years of marriage and two daughters. James served with the National Guard then later was employed at Ling-Temco-Vought before he pursued owning his private business ARL-TEX Plumbing, which was successful for 45 years up until he retired in 1999. He spent his retirement at the Parkhill Stock Ranch that he established in 1970.   James enjoyed ranching, his cows, baling hay, going to agriculture seminars with his friend Ralph, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The amount of love and compassion he had for his family was evident and never questionable; and he was crazy about his faithful companion, Sunny. James was a devout Christian and deacon at Kirvin Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Parkhill of Teague; two daughters, Becky Burks & husband Joey or Teague and Sue Ballard & husband Billy of Kirvin; five grandchildren, Jeremy Ballard & wife Stephanie of College Station, Keitha Whitaker of Teague, Jayme Ballard & wife Nicole of Kirvin, Kensey Tucker & husband Bruce of Mexia, and Kelsie Palmore & husband Chase of Canadian; eleven great-grandchildren, Cooper and Reagan Ballard, Ben and Luke Whitaker, Kaitlyn, Andrew and Toby Tucker, Cash Wayne and Cayme Lyn Ballard, and Corbin and Scout Palmore; three sisters-in-law, Marie Parkhill, Kay Nelson & husband Danny, and Pattie Patton; one brother-in-law, Chuck Sisemore; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Mr. Parkhill was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Houston & Oma Dorothy Parkhill; his sister, Patsy Moss Umsted; and his brother, Dale Parkhill.