William Robert Carter Obituary

William Robert “Bill” Carter, 99, passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, June 30, 2009. His life was filled with wonderful experiences and exceptional service. Bill was born July 11, 1909 in Quaker Valley (Riverton), Kansas to Walter J. and Cora Belle Mitchell Carter. He lived in many places and traveled to even more.

Bill was a birthright member of the Quaker (Friends) Church in Riverton, Kansas and carried the values inculcated there of honesty, humility and work ethic throughout his life, attempting to teach them to others along the way.

Following graduation as valedictorian of Fairhope High School in Fairhope, Alabama, Bill attended Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas, studying accounting. There he met Marjorie Elizabeth Snyder, whom he married on June 21, 1930. She preceded him in death after 62 years of marriage. After living in San Angelo, Texas and Picher, Oklahoma, they made a home in Joplin, Missouri in 1932 where he worked for Humphrey Spring Company for $5 a week. In 1945 he started Four State Auto Supply. He later founded Four State Jobbers Warehouse, supplying auto parts to most dealerships, parts stores and automotive shops in the four-state region.

Along the way, Bill found time to be very active in service organizations and was an active member of Fellowship Lodge 345 AF&AM since 1944, serving as Worshipful Master in 1952 and Treasurer from 1957-1978. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living past master. He was Wise Master of the Scottish Rite Rose Croix 1956-7 and was coroneted 33° in 1973. Bill was also a member of Lions Club International, serving as District Governor. He was active in the Joplin Chapter of the International Red Cross, once receiving an award for donating over 50 gallons of blood. He was very active in the Joplin Chamber of Commerce and various other civic groups. Of all the awards and recognitions he received, he never boasted, he just kept on working.

Bill loved to garden and supplied produce to family and friends. His travels took him to all of The United States and many foreign countries in which he made many friends. Bill and Marjorie, prior to her death, traveled the country in a travel trailer and eventually wintered in Florida, owning an orange grove there, while maintaining a base in Joplin. Following her death, he married Elizabeth Nicoletta Tiffault and they lived primarily in Joplin for five years prior to her passing, following which, he began corresponding with a friend from his high school years, Augusta Clinton Evans. They married when they were both 93.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, his first and second wives and his son, William R. Carter II. He is survived by his wife, Augusta Carter; daughters, Mary Brown and husband Joe, and Judith Wynhausen and husband John; 5 grandchildren, Joseph Brown and wife Kathy, Kristin Kroeger, Erich Kroeger, Aaron Wynhausen and Veronica Wynhausen; 3 great-grandchildren; Qwyntnn, Blake and Ethan Brown; and a sister, Lorene Owens, along with many nieces and nephews.

Services are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, with online condolences available. Public Masonic rites will be held at 7pm, Sunday, July 5 at Parker Mortuary, with visitation to follow. A Rose Croix service will be held at 1pm, Monday, July 6, with funeral services to follow at Parker Mortuary, with burial at the Quaker Valley Cemetery near Riverton, Kansas immediately following. Kent Pratt will officiate.


Published in Joplin Globe on 03 July 2009