Billy Joe Parker, Sr.

Billy Joe Parker Sr. went to be with the Lord on January 19, 2026, passing away in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 88, surrounded by his loving family. Born on July 19, 1937 in Tuskegee, Oklahoma, Billy built a lasting legacy as both an entertainment professional and a family man. His professional life began when he was just a teenager, singing on a McAlester, Oklahoma radio station. Through his God-given talent and a tireless work ethic, Billy rose to national fame as a radio personality, performer, and recording artist, putting 23 singles on the Billboard country-music charts in the 1970s and 1980s. Prior to that, he had been the front man for country star Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours, hand-picked by Tubb himself. Weary of the constant touring, Billy left Tubb amicably after three years and returned to Tulsa in 1971, where the long-lived radio station KVOO had just changed to a country format. Billy was invited on board, where he created one of the first all-night truckers' programs in the country, Billy Parker's Big Rigger Show, and began his rise to fame as one of the top country deejays in the world. In 1974, the Country Music Association named him Disc Jockey of the Year, and he was similarly honored by the Academy of Country Music in 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1984. He became a member of the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1992. Throughout those decades and beyond, Billy was a highly visible and beloved entertainer on radio, TV, records, and in concert. The call letters of his home-base radio station, KVOO, stand for Voice of Oklahoma, and that's exactly what he was. No one who met him or heard him will ever forget him. As proud as Billy was of his professional achievements, they pale in comparison to his personal legacy, built over many years through his interactions with family and friends. In addition to being a devoted and loving husband to his wife, Jerri, for nearly 60 years, Billy was a tremendous father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all who knew him. "Genuine" is the word that friends and loved ones most use to describe him; "considerate," "gracious," and "kind" certainly apply to Billy as well. He would, for instance, spend hours and hours at his desk every year making "Christmas calls"; at other times, when he knew people were facing adversity or dealing with loss, he would always be there, often contacting them daily to offer his support and encouragement. His children and grandchildren fondly remember the cards he always sent on their birthdays and anniversaries. And those are just a few of the ways this truly genuine man bestowed his unselfish love on others. Anyone who spent time with Billy knew that his everyday speech was filled with song titles, one-liners, and pithy observations. Recent examples include, "I'm not hitting on a full tank today," "How long have we been here - not counting today," and the sales advice he gave to his kids and grandkids, "Sell all you want to and want to all you sell." You may need to read some of those twice to get their full impact. Many of his friends and family members had to. Perhaps Billy's most cherished role during his 88 years on this earth was as an unapologetic follower of Jesus Christ. He was a devout Christian man, committed to daily Bible readings, the well-being of others, and old-time gospel music. As he went back and forth through his house on various errands, he'd sometimes make a quick stop at the piano, playing and singing a couple of stanzas of "How Great Thou Art" or "I'll Fly Away," tapping into the river of music and song that flowed through him always. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, along with siblings James, Lucille, Jimmy, Lee, and Frances. He is survived by his wife, Jerrie, and his children Billy and Denise and Kris, Kathy, and Liz, along with a host of grandchildren, other extended family members, and thousands of friends and fans who will miss him dearly. Funeral Services will be 1:00 P.M., Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at First Baptist Church-Tulsa, 420 S. Detroit, Tulsa, OK. The funeral service will be live streamed.

Billy Joe Parker, Sr.

July 19, 1937 - January 19, 2026