[citation needed] The family subsequently lived in Lexington, Kentucky, Dayton, Ohio and Bloomington, Indiana, before settling in Decatur, Illinois.

[citation needed] Under his direction, the band at James B. Dudley High School became known throughout the state for its expert musicianship and precision marching.

[citation needed] B-1 was composed of the first African Americans to serve in the modern Navy at a rank higher than messman.

[citation needed] In May 1944 the band was transferred to the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where it was stationed at Manana Barracks.

[citation needed] While there, Parsons was selected for a panel of judges that was convened by the Navy to investigate the 1944 riot in Guam among Marines.

[citation needed] Throughout his service, Parsons directed B-1, but he mustered out of the Navy in 1945 as a Musician 1st class, never having made the officer's grade.

[2] Parsons entered private practice in Chicago, Illinois from 1949 to 1951, also serving as an assistant corporation counsel during that time.