Willard "Potter" Golden Parker, age 79, of Rutherfordton, NC, passed away and was reunited with his wife and family, Friday, May 2, 2025, at Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills.

A native of Rutherford County, Willard was the son of the late Jack Parker and the late Bertha Crawford Parker. Willard was a one-of-a-kind man, The Man, The Myth, The Legand. He loved his family and friends fiercely, especially his grandkids, and great grandchild. Willard enjoyed all things NASCAR, he also loved to dirt race and even built race cars. He was one of the strongest men you would ever meet. Some of his favorite things were scenic views from a mountain top and lighthouses. Leelan, his great grandson, "best buddies", "little man", "his number 1", were just a few names he was given by Willard. Leelan had a loving name for Willard as well, Winkley Pawpaw is what he called him. Some of their favorite things to do together was drive around the front yard, going to Golden Corral, and enjoying sweets like ice cream and candy. Willard also enjoyed going out to eat at Ken & Mary's in Shelby. In addition to his parents, Willard was preceded in death by his wife, Debbie Briscoe Parker, four brothers, Thomas Lee Parker, Clyde Allen Parker, David Ray Parker, and Ronnie Junior Parker, three sisters, Betty Gean Pierce, Judy Ann Biggerstaff, Brenda Carole Edwards, and Cathy Ann Church, and his grandson, Brandon Lee Martin.

Left to cherish Willard's memory is his daughter, Tammy Ann Parker, his son, Tommy Lee Parker, his sister, Patsy Lee Hastings, two grandchildren, Chasity Martin, and Jasey Parker, and one grandson, Leelan "Little Man".

Willard will lie-in-state Monday May 5, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at McMahan's Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Monday, May 5, 2025, at McMahan's Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at McMahan's Funeral Home Chapel at 3:00 PM, Monday, May 5, 2025, with lifetime family and friend's Shane and Luke Ferguson officiating. Interment will follow at Rutherfordton City Cemetery. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.