William Lee Parker (September 11, 1911 – January 31, 1963) was an American comic book writer and editor.

He stayed in this role until August 1939, when he was asked to become the senior editor of a new comic book line that Fawcett intended to bring to market.

He drew these characteristics from six mythological heroes – Solomon, Hercules, Achilles, Zeus, Atlas and Mercury – and used the first letter of each as an acrostic for the word "Shazam.

Beck was brought in to flesh out the character's look, to which Parker contributed the ideas for the Hessian cape and the lightning bolt logo.

[13] At the time he created Captain Marvel, Parker was a member of the cavalry in the New York National Guard, and in October 1940 left Fawcett to join the U.S. Army in active service.