To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 2/2/20 • Approved: 2/6/20 • Last Updated: 2/9/20 • R1294948-G1294947-S3
William
US Army
August 14, 1927 - December 18, 2000
*Obituary (news article)
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas
Wednesday, December 20, 2000
Former West Fork Mayor Dies
CARTER SERVED FOR 15 YEARS
By Scott F. Davis
WEST FORK — William "Bill" Ellis Carter, who served for 15 years as the mayor of West Fork, died Monday at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.
He is remembered locally for his personal acts of kindness and his jolly demeanor, as well as his progressive leadership of the city.
Lt. Tim Helder of the Fayetteville Police Department said that he first got to know Carter though Carter's leadership as a deacon of the First Baptist Church in West Fork.
"He was always giving his time and money to help others," Helder said.
"He was such an upbeat, fun person to be around. He was just a great guy all around. I am sure he has had an impact on a lot of people."
Helder said that Carter recruited him seven or eight years ago to serve on the West Fork Police Commission.
Carter decided a police commission would be a good way to select a new chief of police, and he asked Helder to serve.
"He was always supportive of the police department," Helder said.
Carter's leadership in West Fork is remembered for accomplishing several important building projects and improving the city's infrastructure, West Fork City Clerk Paula Caudle said.
During Carter's tenure as mayor from 1983 to 1998, the city constructed the Frank Wenzel Community Center and built a new addition to the fire station, Caudle said.
Carter is responsible for the renovation of the old city-hall building, which is now used as the library, she said.
The city also remodeled an old building constructed in 1925 into new city offices under Carter, Caudle said.
City manager Butch Bartholomew said that Carter was instrumental in supporting the expansion of city utilities and improvement of the streets.
Several water and sewer expansions were completed under Carter's leadership, and ongoing street improvements were completed each year, Bartholomew said.
Carter was also active in securing 20 acres at the corner of Pleasant Street and Riverwood Avenue that was eventually donated to the city for a new park, which was named after Carter, Bartholomew said.
Carter was also active in securing 20 acres at the corner of Pleasant Street and Riverwood Avenue that was eventually donated to the city for a new park, which was named after Carter, Bartholomew said.
The city is in the process of developing William E. Carter Park, which includes baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, walking trails and an amphitheater.
Caudle, who has worked for the city since 1973, said Carter was a supportive supervisor, but not one to micromanage.
"He came in and checked on us; and, if everything was OK, he'd leave us alone, which was kind of nice," Caudle said.
"It's not like that at a lot of places."
Bartholomew, who has been with the city since 1971, said he considered Carter to be both a good friend and an effective mayor.
"He allowed people to do the job without unnecessary interference. He knew how government was supposed to work, with the mayor and council setting policy and supervisors implementing it." Bartholomew said.
"He told us, 'If you need me, I'm here. If you don't, I am out of the way."
"He was always glad to help ... always jolly and in a good mood. He hardly ever complained. I just enjoyed being around him," Bartholomew said.
"He was a friend as well as a co-worker to all of us here."
*Obituary
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas
Wednesday, December 20, 2000
FAYETTEVILLE — William "Bill" Ellis Carter, 73, of Fayetteville died Dec. 18, 2000, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. He was born Aug. 14, 1927, in West Fork to Hearl Adam and Virginia Ellis Carter. He was manager, owner and operator of the Good Year Tire and Automotive Center in in Fayetteville for more than 45 years. He was a deacon and member of the First Baptist Church in West Fork and served as deacon at Fayetteville First Baptist Church. He was a Rotarian and an Army veteran. He was mayor of the city of West Fork from 1983-1998.
Survivors include his wife, Earlene Fine Carter, to whom he was married 52 years; three sons, W. Steven Carter of St. Louis, Mo., Don E. Carter and Neal A. Carter, both of Fayetteville; one daughter, Carol Carter McClelland of Sarasota, Fla; two brothers, Jack B. Carter of Little Rock and H.A. "Bud" Carter of Oklahoma City, Okla.; nine grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at West Fork First Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Burney and Dr. Jere D. Mitchell officiating.
Burial will be in West Fork Cemetery under the direction of Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Moore's. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, Md. 20852-9813, or First Baptist Church, 246 N. Centennial, West Fork, 72774.
Earlene
November 15, 1928 - October 12, 2009
*Obituary
The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
FAYETTEVILLE — Elizabeth Earlene Carter, 80, of Fayetteville, went to be with Jesus, October 12, 2009 at North Hills Life Care & Rehabilitation.
She was born November 15, 1928 at West Fork, the daughter of Nealie & Hazel Talley Fine. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Ellis "Bill" Carter December 18, 2000, her parents, her Brother Delford Fine and his wife Dorothy Steele Fine.
She was a homemaker, a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother for that is what Christ called her to be. Her faithful obedience to her Lord and savior was her shining foundation. For Christ is her reward. She longed to hear the words, "Welcome home, Earlene, my good and faithful servant with whom I am well pleased."
A former member of Fayetteville's First Baptist Church & a member of West Fork First Baptist Church, she served as a Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible school teacher, church pianist, organist, choir member, soloist and supported missions passionately through Baptist Women's Missionary Union. She lived her life as a testimony to her savior Jesus Christ.
She served several years on the Board of Trustees for Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. In 1990, she won the World of Poetry Golden Poet Award. During her lifetime she traveled throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
She is survived by three sons, W. Steven Carter & his wife Penny of Little Rock, Don E. Carter and his wife Lesa of Fayetteville, Neal A. Carter & his wife Tonja of Fayetteville; a daughter, Carol McClelland & her husband Kirk of Sarasota, FL; a sister, Regina Schnackenberg & her husband Al of Tulsa, OK; eight grandchildren, Dustin & Lauren Kinsey, Andrew and Jennifer Carter, Andrew Merideth Carter and Adam and Noah Carter: a great-granddaughter, Elliot Claire Carter.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, October 15 at West Fork First Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Don Carter.
Burial will be in West Fork Cemetery, under the direction of Moore's Chapel.
Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesday at Moore's Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Hope Cancer Resources, 5835 W. Sunset Ave., Springdale, AR 72762.
To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.
Married December 17, 1948
Contributed on 2/2/20 by wfields55
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 1294948