Born in Manila, Philippines, Filipino-American Senator William A. Parkinson is the son of Speaker Don Parkinson, a 7-term Guam senator, and Marina Alkonga Parkinson. Senator Parkinson grew up in Guam attending J.Q. San Miguel Elementary School, Jose Rios Middle School, and George Washington High School, which led him to the University of Idaho. After college, he spent a decade battling blazes as a Wildland Firefighter with the United States Forestry Service.

His commitment to service drew him back to Guam to be a caretaker for his father, a military veteran who suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. This profound personal experience fueled his drive to give back to his community through public service, serving in the 37th and 38th Guam Legislature. He now lives in the village of Mongmong-Toto-Maite with his wife, Camille Parkinson and their daughter, Camilla Mari Parkinson.