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William McKiever "Billy" Carson, 87, died peacefully in his sleep in Monticello Arkansas on February 12, 2015. He was born at the family home in Monticello on December 3, 1927. He was the fourth child of Margaret Dunham Carson, formerly of Hattiesburg Mississippi, and Frank Carson of Monticello. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1945, where he played in the band and was voted wittiest in the class. The same year he assumed part ownership of Carson's Store from his father. On Christmas Day of 1948 he married Josephine Patricia Reginelli of Lake Village Arkansas. They would raise five children: William Michael, Susan Jo, Patricia Ann, John Phillip, and Lisa Marie.
He worked the store in East End, 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, until Carson's Store was closed in December 1995 after 60 years in business. He was a member of Monticello Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Monticello Country Club and past president of the Monticello Merchants Association.
When not working, he was an avid sports fan and loved going to the ballgames of the Billies, the Boll Weevils, and the Razorbacks. He loved playing slo-pitch softball and was an all-star pitcher. He was very active in youth baseball - he was one of the handful of fathers who built the first Little League field. He was PA announcer for Little League games and served as president of the Little League, the Babe Ruth League and the Monticello Youth Council. He loved to travel after retirement, take photographs and home movies, and play Sunday afternoon water volleyball with the family. He loved to feed and watch the birds in his backyard. He was passionate about family, community, and sports. He devoted his life to his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Margaret Carson, a sister Athalie Carson Gabbie, and two brothers Frank "Buddy" Carson Jr. and Jack Carson. He is survived by Josephine Carson, his wife of 66 years, his five children and their respective spouses: Susan Baum, Johnny Adkins, Keith Williams, Sheri Carson and Robbie Gibson, by six grandchildren: Michael Adkins, Kate Adkins, Joseph Engelkes, John David Carson and wife Courtney, Jason Carson, Anna Gibson, and by one great-grandchild, Chase William Carson.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 21 at 2 pm at St Mark’s Catholic Church in Monticello. The family suggests donations to the St Mark’s Catholic Church Building Fund, the Arkansas Hospice Foundation, or the UAM Sports Foundation.
He worked the store in East End, 10 hours a day, 6 days a week, until Carson's Store was closed in December 1995 after 60 years in business. He was a member of Monticello Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Monticello Country Club and past president of the Monticello Merchants Association.
When not working, he was an avid sports fan and loved going to the ballgames of the Billies, the Boll Weevils, and the Razorbacks. He loved playing slo-pitch softball and was an all-star pitcher. He was very active in youth baseball - he was one of the handful of fathers who built the first Little League field. He was PA announcer for Little League games and served as president of the Little League, the Babe Ruth League and the Monticello Youth Council. He loved to travel after retirement, take photographs and home movies, and play Sunday afternoon water volleyball with the family. He loved to feed and watch the birds in his backyard. He was passionate about family, community, and sports. He devoted his life to his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Margaret Carson, a sister Athalie Carson Gabbie, and two brothers Frank "Buddy" Carson Jr. and Jack Carson. He is survived by Josephine Carson, his wife of 66 years, his five children and their respective spouses: Susan Baum, Johnny Adkins, Keith Williams, Sheri Carson and Robbie Gibson, by six grandchildren: Michael Adkins, Kate Adkins, Joseph Engelkes, John David Carson and wife Courtney, Jason Carson, Anna Gibson, and by one great-grandchild, Chase William Carson.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 21 at 2 pm at St Mark’s Catholic Church in Monticello. The family suggests donations to the St Mark’s Catholic Church Building Fund, the Arkansas Hospice Foundation, or the UAM Sports Foundation.