Last Updated on 14 hours ago by Vijay Kumar
Former KVOO radio legend Billy Parker, a pioneering voice in Oklahoma country music broadcasting, has died at 88, marking the end of an era for fans and the radio community.
Big Country 99.5 shared this sad news on Monday on Facebook page and wrote, “We are so saddened to announce the passing of a legend, Billy Parker. Billy was with KVOO from 1971 up until his retirement in 2015.”
Parker’s career spanned decades and left an indelible imprint on country radio. He began his journey in broadcasting in 1959 and went on to become one of the most influential radio personalities in Oklahoma and beyond. Best known for his long tenure at KVOO in Tulsa — where he worked from 1971 until 2015 — he became widely respected for his deep knowledge of country music, his warm on-air presence, and his support of both established and emerging artists.
During his time at the station, Parker earned numerous accolades, including multiple Disc Jockey of the Year awards from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and was later inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame as well as the Western Swing Hall of Fame. He also received the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters’ Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the industry.
Beyond the studio, Parker shared his experiences and stories in his autobiography titled Thanks — Thanks a lot, offering a rich look at his life in radio and his connection with country music culture.
He is survived by family members who were part of his life off the air, including children and grandchildren, though specific names and details have not yet been widely released in early reports.
My name is Vijay Kumar. I work as content writer and founder of this website. I am studying BSC IT. I has been writing content since 2022. I also learn about journalism.
