09/29/2026
Congratulations to our very own Mr. Wayland A. Parker, II.
2026 Hall of Honor Inductee:
WAYLAND PARKER
Wayland Atlee Parker II grew up and has lived in Greenwood, Arkansas all of his life. He attended Greenwood Schools from first grade through the twelfth grade and was Co-Valedictorian for the Class of 1975. He received his Associate's Degree from Westark Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Hendrix College, and finished his education with the Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville. After passing the Arkansas Bar he joined his father, Lefty Parker, in the general practice of law in Greenwood and focused primarily on criminal law, probate, and domestic relations for more than four decades. Wayland was elected and served as the Greenwood District Court Judge from 1991 through December of 2012 when he retired. Prior to serving as District Judge, he was the City Attorney for the City of Greenwood for many years and also served as the County Attorney for the city of Hartford and the City of Huntington for about five years prior to taking the judgeship.
Wayland and his wife, Barbara, have three children, Wayland III, Natalie and Lauren, all of whom attended Greenwood Schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Wayland was on Greenwood’s first track team coached by H.B. Stewart, Jr., and he volunteered for many years after returning to Greenwood from college for Greenwood track meets as a timer and field events worker.
Wayland has enjoyed participating in the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce 4th of July 5k Race with his children and grandchildren. He is an active member of Saints Sabina and Mary Catholic Church in Jenny Lind, Arkansas, and has served on the Parish Council and continues to serve as a Lector.
During his tenure as Greenwood District Judge Wayland volunteered and visited a number of classrooms in the Greenwood Schools talking to students about the judicial court system and laws affecting young drivers. He was also an active member of the Greenwood Lions Club for many years which supported children and adults in obtaining proper eyewear.
Wayland also volunteered and served as Senior Babe Ruth baseball coach in Greenwood, along with Cephas Peters. He has been an active member and golfer at Vache Grasse Country Club and has supported many golf tournaments and fundraisers for local high school teams and the country club. He has served on the Greenwood Education Foundation Board for many years and continues to do so.
Wayland is also on the Board of the Greenwood Memorial Cemetery. In years past he served as a judge for local and Sebastian County high school debate teams. Wayland loves God, his family and his community and is proud to be a part of all of them. He always knew when he went to college that he was going to come back home and raise his family in Greenwood.
As a judge for twenty-two years Wayland always tried to encourage people coming before the Court to get their life back on the right track. He would regularly tell a defendant that he or she could not change the decisions or choices that they made, but that they had full control of the choices that they make today, tomorrow, next week, and next year.
