Rev. William Ronald Allan Parrott was born on January 6, 1938, 6 weeks prematurely at the hospital in Stouffville, ON, to Earle and Muriel Parrott. He was the second child of five children, and had two brothers and two sisters. He was raised on the family farm near Ashburn, ON and attended Balsam School, a one room schoolhouse about two miles from his home and later attended High School in Port Perry, ON. He was always very quiet, kind and gentle with a strong sense of family. He was a good student and enjoyed
school but when his Dad decided to find employment elsewhere Ron left school after grade 10 to run the
farm. He raised Holstein dairy cows and Shropshire sheep. He really loved all aspects of farm life. In the years following his time on the farm he continued to garden. His vegetable garden brought him a lot of joy and satisfaction providing some of the peace and serenity he found on the farm. As a teen he attended local evangelistic meetings and gave his heart to the Lord. In 1966 he began his studies at Toronto Baptist Seminary. The first few weeks he found very difficult living in residence at the Seminary which was located in downtown Toronto. The constant noise and lights of the city were hard to get used to after the quiet life in rural Ontario. He did well in Seminary winning awards each year. In 1970 he graduated with his Bachelor of Theology degree. He was ordained in June 1971. In February 1967 he was called as pastor to a small church near Tottenham, ON. He served that church for ten years. He always felt the Lord wanted him to work in rural churches. On July 1, 1967 he was married to Edna Jones at Jarvis Street Baptist Church in Toronto, ON. They have four children and ten grandchildren. He has always been an active father and
husband and enjoyed the many family camping trips they took each summer as a break from his busy life as a small town pastor. In January 1977 the family left Ontario for Alberta and Saskatchewan where Ron served small rural churches. He loved being part of a small community and serving the people around him, enjoying a simple life and being able to connect with God through nature and meditate as he tended his garden. In all the churches where he served he was known for his kind heart and care for others. He was also known as someone who lived out every day what he preached on Sunday mornings. He retired from full time ministry in 1997 but continued to provide pulpit supply when asked. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2002. He was able to stay at home un-til August 2011. He passed away peacefully due to complications of Alzheimer's Disease on Thursday, December 12 at Lakeside Manor Care Home, Saltcoats, SK. Ron was predeceased by his parents, Earle and Muriel Parrott, his older sister, Helen Parrott and brother, Earle Parrott. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory his loving wife, Edna; his daughter, Muriel Shirley, and her children, Megan, Liam, Ethan, Daniel and Johnathan; his daughter, Ronda (Mark) Schmitke and their children, Anthony and Bradley; his son, Andrew (Sheila) Parrott and their
daughters, Sadie and Jane; and his daughter, Lydia (Kevin) Stoesz and their daughter, Alathia; his sister, Ann (David) Eastwood and brother, Peter (Marsha) Parrott as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 from the Heritage Baptist Church in Yorkton, SK. with Pastor Brian Kirsch officiating. The pianist, Donna Milbrandt led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Away in a Manger", "This is My Father's World" and "Take the Name of Jesus With You". Donna Milbrandt also shared a solo, "The Lord's My Shepherd". Son, Andrew Parrot and daughter, Lydia Stoesz shared words of tribute and eulogy and the family shared a photo tribute as well. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with grandsons, Anthony Schmitke, Bradley Schmitke, Liam Shirley and Ethan Shirley and sons-in-law, Mark Schmitke and Kevin Stoesz serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
