William Parker Harlowe
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William Parker Harlowe, 63, of Lexington, Kentucky, loving husband of Charles Bitner, passed away March 3, 2021. He was born on October 13, 1957, in Huntington, West Virginia to Jacqueline Roach and Noel Harlowe. He was preceded in death by his father, Noel Harlowe, grandparents, Elizabeth and William Roach, Kitty and Horace Harlowe, Aunt, Gail Humphreys, and cousin, Melinda Humphreys Manning. Parker graduated from Barboursville High School in 1975 and attended Marshall University and Columbus College of Art & Design. As a child, he spent summers on his grandparent's farm deep in the hills of North Carolina. His very first artwork was created on his Grandmother's canvas window shade at the age of 5. Parker was fascinated by nature and quickly discovered the patterns on moth wings, the color contrasts of gardens and reveled in the spirals of a sunflower and delicate design of a fern. As a self-employed working artist, he created wonderfully ornate murals for many luxurious private homes and prestigious businesses in Naples, FL from 1992 - 2013. In early 2000 he painted a beautiful mural in the memorial garden at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Lehigh Acres, FL. He had studio space in one of Chicago's leading art districts in the neighborhood of Bridgeport, at the Zhou B Art Center in 2013. From there he moved and settled in Lexington, KY where he joined the LexArts and exhibited his work in several shows. He is survived by his husband, Charles Bitner, and beloved pets, Mimi and Ben, of Lexington, KY, Mother, Jacqueline Howes, Brothers, Scott (Kitty) Harlowe of Charlottesville, VA and Michael Harlowe of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Uncle, Harold Humphreys, cousins, Kimberly Humphreys and Amy (Doug) Williams, all of Houston, TX, along with three nephews and two nieces. Memorial services will be held at a later date due to Covid-19. Donations may be made in Parker's name to the Lexington Art League, 209 Castlewood Drive, Lexington, KY 40505.