Paul Carter

Paul R. Carter was born on July 3, 1940 in a small farm house in the Coleman community of south Arkansas about fifteen miles north of Monticello . He died Saturday in Bentonville after a life-well-lived, surrounded by family and comforted by his faith in God.

Although his interests were varied, Paul’s life was defined by love for God and love of people. He loved God and his life confirmed it. He was an active member of the Bentonville Church of Christ for thirty-two (32) years, serving as an Elder for over twenty-five (25) of those years. He was an advocate for Christian education, serving on the Harding University Board of Trustees for twenty-five (25) years. But most importantly, he reflected God’s love by humbly doing good.

Paul loved people, first and foremost, his wife June. He and June met and fell in love in the 5th grade. They married on August 10, 1958 and spent the next fifty-one (51) years building a loving, supportive, caring and fulfilling Christian home. He often said she was “perfect”. She truly was perfect for him and likewise, he was perfect for her.

Paul loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandson. He taught them everything from how to live a quality life to how to change the tube in the tire of a John Deere tractor. He represents to these generations wisdom, compassion, commitment, honesty, self-discipline, generosity; kindness, goodness, hard-work and most importantly love.

Paul loved Wal-Mart and his fellow associates. He found in Wal-Mart a corporate culture and leadership he willingly embraced--a philosophy of service led by servant-leaders, chief-among-them Sam Walton. From the time he was young, Paul had been taught “it is better to serve than be served.” Wal-Mart gave him the opportunity to serve every day.

After his retirement from Wal-Mart, Paul pursued other opportunities to serve in business, by partnering with his late son-in-law Malcolm F. Howell to form Environmental Testing Group, Inc. (a company he has nurtured and directed as the Chairman of the Board since 2004).

Paul enjoyed sports, whether playing or cheering. He played basketball as a young man and tennis as he matured. He cheered for his children, grandchildren and most recently great-grandson in all of their sporting activities. He also enjoyed cheering for his favorite teams; the Bentonville Tigers, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Paul enjoyed hunting (deer, duck, quail and turkey) with family and friends. He loved being outdoors, whether working, watching or playing. He and June spent many days and nights at “the Ranch”, some of the nights camping out in their beloved “deer stand” making memories cherished by both.

Paul held numerous corporate positions during his lifetime, including: Chairman of the Board, Environmental Testing Group, Inc. (current); Board Member and Chairman of the Audit Committee, Cintas Corporation (current); Controller, Executive Vice President of Special Divisions, Chief Financial Officer, President of Wal-Mart Realty and a Board Member of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (retired); and Chief Financial Officer of Howard’s Discount Stores (1964-1977). He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Arkansas Executive Forum, and a Trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers (retired).

Paul served on the Board of many community organizations, including: Tri-S Foundation; American Community Foundation; Care Foundation; Northwest Arkansas Council; Beaver Lake Water District; and Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Upper White River Basin Foundation.

Paul received various awards and commendations, including: Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Harding University and Faulkner University; Hall of Fame Award from the Drew Central School District; Outstanding Alumnus Award from University of Arkansas at Monticello; Sam M. Walton Award from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; Distinguished Service Award from the Board of Directors of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; and Distinguished Achievement Award from Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity.

Paul’s mother and father, Moten and Willean Carter; his sister Joyce Wilbanks; his father-in-law Ray Webb; and his son-in-law Malcolm Howell all preceded him in death. Paul is survived by his wife, June of the home; his mother-in-law Bessie (Webb) Horton of Bentonville; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kelly and Anna Koonce of Monticello, Arkansas; his brother-in-law Vanoy Wilbanks of Monticello, Arkansas; his son Steve Carter and his wife Michelle of Bentonville; his daughter Stephanie Howell of Bentonville; and his son Sam Carter of Little Rock, Arkansas; his grandchildren Ross Carter and his wife Rachel; Rachel Carter, Robyn Carter, Katherine Howell, Emma Howell all of Bentonville, Arkansas; Avery Carter and Logan Carter of Little Rock, Arkansas and his one great-grandson, Michael Carter of Bentonville.

A visitation will be held at the Bentonville Church of Christ on Monday, November 2, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Bentonville Church of Christ on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. Services are under the direction of Callison-Lough Funeral Home of Bentonville.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to: Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road , Springdale , Arkansas 72762 ; Bentonville Public Schools Foundation, P. O. Box 1006 , Bentonville , Arkansas 72712 ; or Harding University , 915 East Market Avenue , Searcy , Arkansas 72149 .