William B. “Bill” Carter, 89, of Morganton, passed away Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016. Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA., Sept. 12, 1926, he was the son of the late Carney Blake Carter and Myrtice Greenwood Carter Davis.
Mr. Carter was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Bill was a member of Grace Episcopal Church where he was a greeter and usher, and he had served as an acolyte as a young boy.
Bill graduated from McCallie High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1943, graduated from Davidson College in 1950, and attended U.N.C. from 1953 to 1955. Mr. Carter was a member of the Morganton Lion’s Club and retired from Drexel Furniture after 35 years.
Bill is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Lib” Roper Carter of the home; a daughter, Elizabeth Anne Carter McNeill and her husband, Steve, of Wilmington; grandchildren, Julia Elizabeth McNeill of Greenville, S.C., and Mollie Catherine McNeill of Washington, D.C.; a sister, Sarah Lou Davis Deal and her husband, Ray, of Morganton; nephews and nieces, Bradley Deal of Atlanta, Ga., Elizabeth Phifer Belton and her husband, Benjamin, of Morganton, Robert P. Phifer Jr., and his wife, Laura, of Hickory, Michael Ray Deal and his wife, Teresa, of Advance, Davis Vernon Deal and his wife, Carol, of Apex, Margaret Carter McKinnish and her husband, Rock, of Hendersonville, Charles Norman Carter and his wife, Polly, of Newark, Del., and Blake Carter and his wife, Diane, of Horseshoe.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his stepfather, Charles Vernon Davis; a brother, Carney “Dick” Carter; and a sister, Anne Greenwood Carter Oehlbeck.
The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 4, at Grace Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Marshall Jolly officiating. The family will greet friends in the church’s parish hall following the service. A private graveside service will be held with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690; or to Grace Episcopal Church, 303 S. King St., Morganton, NC 28655.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sossomanfh.com.