Charles Lamar Parham

All the Angels in Heaven above welcomed Charlie with open arms in the early hours of May 16, 2022. He passed away at home with Abby, his loving wife of 44 years, by his side.

Viewing and visitation will be at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, on Wednesday, May 18 from 4-6 pm.

Services honoring Charlie’s life will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4515 South 14th Street, at 9:30 am on Thursday, May 19. Committal Service will follow at 11:00 am at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene, 7457 West Lake Road.

An American hero, Charlie served our country for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force and earned the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam. He also served in Thailand and Argentina before retiring from Dyess AFB in 1976. He followed his military career with a career with the U.S. Air Force Civil Service and retired with 41 years of service. He continued to serve the troops by volunteering at the Base Pharmacy on Mondays.

A man of faith, Charlie was a member and an elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He played the guitar with the Presbyterian Pickers, taught Sunday School, and cooked at the Sunday breakfasts.

Charlie graduated from William Carey College with a Bachelor of Science degree and enjoyed history, which he shared with his family on road trips.

A family man, Charlie is survived by his loving and adoring wife, Abby Parham and their six children: Donna Groth, Denise Morrow and Debbie, Toni Eason and Dennis, Kreg Porter and Linda, Ken Porter and Jennifer, and Polly Porter. Additionally, he is survived by his sister Barbara Jean Brunette and six grandchildren: Kristopher, Travis, Gail, Katie, Jakob, and Rachel. Preceding him in death were his parents Thomas Franklin Parham, Jr. and Hattie Arilla Bufford Parham, and his brother Franklin “Junior” McGraw and his wife Christie.