Dolly Parton is mourning the loss of her brother, David Wilburn Parton, who passed away at the age of 82. News of David’s passing was shared by his sister Stella Parton in a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Nov. 15. “My brother David passed away peacefully this morning,” she wrote. Stella, 75, expressed the difficulty of saying goodbye to a loved one, adding that David had “got his angel wings and is now at peace.”
In a separate message on Facebook, Stella conveyed her grief, reiterating how hard it is to lose someone close. She mentioned that David had passed away early in the morning. On Threads, she shared, “My brother David left us this morning. He finally got his angel wings. RIP dear soul. Love you forever.”
Stella Parton shares heartfelt tributes to her brother David, who passed peacefully at 82
An obituary published online the same day identified David as David W. Parton and revealed that he passed away at his home in White Pine, Tennessee, on Friday. No cause of death was provided.
At this time, Dolly, 78, has not issued a public statement about her brother’s death. PEOPLE has reached out to representatives of both Dolly and Stella for additional comments.
David was a retired bridge builder superintendent with Simpson Construction, dedicating much of his career to projects across Tennessee in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Knoxville. His family expressed gratitude to his caregivers and medical team for their compassionate support in his final days.
As one of the 11 Parton siblings, David was the second oldest of six brothers and five sisters. Among his surviving siblings are Willadeene, Coy, Dolly, Robert Jr., Stella, Cassie, Freida, and Rachel, while their brothers Randy, Larry, and Floyd have passed away.
Throughout his life, David maintained a private existence, distinct from his famous sisters. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kay Parton, their daughters Donna and Dena, and Lucas, described in the obituary as a “nephew/son,” along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Family and friends will gather on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Leadvale Baptist Church in White Pine to honor his memory. David’s passing comes nearly four years after the death of his brother Randy, who succumbed to cancer at 67 in 2021, and six years after Floyd, who passed away at 61 in December 2018.
Reflecting on Randy’s death, Dolly once shared on Facebook that her brother had found peace with God and was reunited with family members who had passed before him. She expressed faith that Randy was welcomed with “joy and open arms.”
