William "Bill" John Parrell

BLACK EARTH / CROSS PLAINS - William John “Bill” Parrell, age 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by love and his family on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. He was born on January 6, 1930, on the family farm in Mazomanie, to Ernest and Ruth Parrell, then grew up in the valleys of Black Earth farming. After graduating from Black Earth High School, daddy joined the U.S. Navy in 1948, serving primarily on the USS Palau to the Mediterranean as part of the Sixth Fleet. Upon completing his four-year tour of duty, he returned to Black Earth, joining his dad in running the Black Earth Mill.

In 1953, Bill married Beverly Hoffmann, also from Black Earth, in Marxville and upon Ernest’s passing, he took over the mill and settled on the outskirts of Black Earth on County KP. Beginning their decades of life together, they also began building their family in addition to the feed mill. They built a large two-story chicken house for commercial raising of chickens, then also cattle, and then built a house after they outgrew the trailer, while anticipating the arrival of their fourth child.

In 1966, they sold the feed mill and their home to move to Vermont Township to begin a new venture - first in cattle after expanding to the upper farm they purchased, eventually moving to a large hog and corn production farming. After the ’84 tornado, the farm was destroyed and reduced to remnants of what it was. Bill rebuilt a small hog operation and some cash cropping. He married Joyce Schlick in 1984 and farmed until retirement in 2012. He then moved to Sauk Prairie.

Dad enjoyed a lifetime of fishing, hunting, bowling, softball, dancing, playing cards, horseshoes, reading, cutting wood and watching the Bucks, Brewers and Packers.

Bill is survived by his lifetime love, Beverly Parrell Brunner; daughter, Rhonda (Robert) Haag; sons, Nathan (Candy) and Mitchell (Joanne Frey) Parrell; step-children, Steve (Dawn) Schlick, Timothy (Emily) Schlick and Amy (Allen) Thompson; brother, Donald (Marguerite) Parrell; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Ruth Parrell; his sister, Ellen Mellon; daughter, Sherrie Perron; grandson, Joshua Ashworth; son-in-law, David Ashworth; and wife, Joyce Schlick Parrell.

Private services will be held.

Daddy was a quiet man who had deep love and friendships, offered his help to any and all, and set a goal for all of us to be just a fraction of the man he was. We love you, daddy.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Black Earth

Funeral & Cremation Care

1710 Center St.

(608) 767-3684