David Wilburn Parton, Dolly Parton’s brother, has passed away at the age of 82. The news was shared by his sister, Stella Parton, on Friday, November 15, via X (formerly Twitter) and other social platforms.
Stella, 75, expressed her grief in a heartfelt post, saying, “My brother David passed away peacefully this morning. He received his angel wings and is now at peace, but saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy.” In a second post on Facebook, she reiterated, “It’s never easy to lose a loved one,” adding that David passed away “in the early hours of the morning.” On Threads, she wrote, “My brother David left us this morning. After a while, he was granted angel wings. Rest in peace, amazing soul. I will always love you.”
According to an online obituary, David, also known as David W. Parton, passed away at his home in White Pine, Tennessee. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Dolly Parton, 78, has not yet publicly commented on her brother’s passing, and representatives for both Dolly and Stella have been contacted for further information.
David Parton worked as a superintendent and bridge builder for Simpson Construction, focusing on projects in Knoxville, Johnson City, and Kingsport, Tennessee. His family expressed their gratitude for those who supported him in his final days, specifically mentioning Dr. David McNabney, Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice, and his caregivers, Aubrie Smith and Robin Schmidt.
David was the second oldest of 11 Parton siblings, including the late Randy, Larry, and Floyd. His surviving siblings are Willadeene (84), Coy (81), Dolly, Robert Jr. (76), Stella (75), Cassie (73), Freida (67), and Rachel (65). Unlike his famous sisters, David lived a quiet life away from the public eye.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kay Parton, their two daughters, Donna and Dena, a nephew described as a “nephew/son,” Lucas, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at Leadvale Baptist Church in White Pine on Tuesday, November 19, with family and friends invited to pay their respects.
David’s passing comes nearly four years after his brother Randy succumbed to cancer in 2021 at the age of 67 and six years after Floyd passed away in December 2018 at 61.
Dolly had previously spoken about the loss of Randy in a 2021 Facebook post, writing, “My brother Randy has lost his battle with cancer. Though we know dad is in a better place than we are right now, the family and I are still grieving his passing. We believe in God’s protection and the presence of our deceased family members, who have embraced him with joy and open arms, as a religious family.”
The Parton family continues to lean on their faith as they navigate another significant loss.