William Thomas Carter

William (Billy) T. Carter was born September 18, 1923 to Louretta Adams Carter and Edward Lee Carter in Oakhurst, Texas. Billy was one of eight children. He had six brothers and one sister all of which preceded him in death. Billy joined the navy May 11, 1944 and served on the USS Marathon which was hit by a one-man suicide Japanese submarine on July 22, 1945. He was haunted many years by the explosion and the subsequent loss of his shipmates. Following this incident he went on to serve on the USS Rowan until his discharge May 2, 1946. May 31, 1947 Billy married Tommie Winfrey in Huntsville, Texas. Their daughter, Phyllis Gail was born in 1949 followed by a son, William Dale in 1953 and daughter Belinda in 1962. Billy worked with his brother, CP, painting houses in the Houston area for several years. He also worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from 1960 until his retirement in 1984. While working for the prison system he enjoyed working the prison rodeos and meeting the stars that were performing. Billy enjoyed the outdoors and traveling with Tommie. They made many trips to the mountains and bought property in Montana after his retirement where they spent their summers. After a while they sold the Montana property and purchased property in Colorado for summer vacations so they would be a bit closer to home. Billy was a man of God. He was baptized at the Victory Baptist Church in Houston in 1958. He went on to be a Sunday School teacher and then became Deacon at First Baptist Church of Dodge and later at Center Hill Baptist Church. He served as deacon until a stroke in 2009 prevented him from performing his duties. Billy was always glad to spend time with his family and especially loved the grandchildren. These include grandsons Billy, Carter, Andy, Kaleb, and Thomas as well granddaughters Kristen, Jamee, Ashley, Anna, Sara, and Victoria. William (Billy) T. Carter passed away early Monday, April 23, 2018. He is survived by his wife of almost 71 years, Tommie Winfrey Carter, son, Dale Carter of Oakhurst, daughter, Belinda and husband Derek Walker also of Oakhurst, son-in-law Billy Fly of Point Blank, ten grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Daughter, Phyllis, preceded him in death in 2006. When asked if he would change anything if he was able to live his life over again, he thought for only a moment before saying no. We will not mourn for a life that has been lost but rejoice for a life that is being spent in Heaven with Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior. We would like to thank Dr. Lawrence Wells and his staff for the care they provided to William for many years as well as the staff at Stat Home Health that cared for him for the last year. Special thanks also goes to Doris Graves and Jackie Robbins for the loving care they have provided.

William Thomas Carter

September 18, 1923 - April 23, 2018