W.D. Willie Carter

W.D. “Willie” Carter, 86, passed peacefully away from this world, into Heaven, late Wednesday evening at the Courtyard of Natchitoches where he had been since last Friday. His wife, son and close family friend were by his side. Willie, affectionately known by many as simply “Carter” was a retired watchmaker/jeweler, with many years experience in both Springhill and Natchitoches, and was a former co-owner of Carter’s Jewelry. Mr . Carter was a long-time sufferer of Alzheimer’s disease, but had been able to return home, with his wife and son providing care for him, with the help of Moss Home Health and Hospice of Natchitoches until the very recent. Mr. Carter was born in Ruston, LA in 1927. He was raised with his brothers and sister in Jonesboro by his parents B.F. and Verna Carter, until his dad passed away when he was 16, leaving Verna to complete the job of raising their five children. He served in the United Sates Navy and was very proud of his service to his country. He was preceded in death by his parents, all four siblings, Damon Harris Carter, Bonnie Obadiah Carter, Edna Martielle Carter Whitten, and Charles Mackey Carter; two sister-in-laws, Francis Mostiller Gilbert, and Betty Gilbert Goff; and his daughter–in-law, Ruth Monk Carter. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 61 years, Billie Gilbert Carter; his son, Allen F. Carter; sister-in- law, Gloria J. Carter all of Natchitoches; two brother-in-laws, Allen Ray Gilbert of Bossier City and William Meredith Johnson Goff of Shreveport; four nieces and four nephews, Sandra Kay Carter Harrell of Shady Grove, TX, Vicki Jo Carter Faith of Bossier City, Kathleen Gilbert Buchanan of Texarkana AR, James Robert “Jimmy” Gilbert of Shreveport, James “Jim” Whitten of Long Island, NY, William Kirke Goff of Shreveport, and Damon Charles “Bo” Carter of Alexandria; as well as many great nieces and great nephews. A service to honor his life will be 3 pm Sunday, July 7, 2013 at Westside Baptist Church of Natchitoches with Bro. Bill Hudson officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 pm until 9 pm on Saturday, July 6th at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include: Donnie Faith, Larry Harrell, Murray LaCaze, Kirke Goff, Jimmy Gilbert and Terry Oswald. The deacons of Westside Baptist Church, members of the Natchitoches Lions Club, Damon Charles “Bo” Carter and Paula Albright are honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made in W. D.’s memory to the television ministry of Westside Baptist Church, or to Hospice of Natchitoches, for whose help we are eternally grateful.