William L Carey

William Leonard Carey of Oakton, Virginia died of natural causes on July 26th, 2025 at his home. He is survived by his wife Holly, his son William (Maren), and his sisters Robin (Pablo) and Peggy and cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceeded in death by his parents Robert and Bobbie Carey, his parents-in-law Helen and Ludi Benner, and his brother Robert William Carey.

Born into a military family on July 18th 1952 in Fort Belvoir, Virginia he moved frequently with his family, living in Japan (1954), Hawaii (1957), Virginia (1958), Paris (1965), Germany (1967), Kansas (1968), and Virginia (1969).

An enthusiastic learner and voracious reader, Bill studied at Northern Virginia Community College and Universidad de las Americas Puebla in 1970 before graduating from George Mason University with a Bachelor of History in 1978. While there he met Holly Benner, and after two years of courtship, married her on March 31st, 1977. Soon thereafter they moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, where he continued his studies at William and Mary, earning a Juris Doctor in 1981, winning several book awards and joining the Order of the Coif. Their son, William David, was born during his third year of law school. Following his graduation, the family moved to Roanoke, Virginia, where Bill clerked for federal judge James C. Turk. After his clerkship in Roanoke, they moved to Centreville and Bill took up the private practice of the law, eventually becoming a partner of several firms and focusing on medical malpractice defense.

The law, though, was but one of his careers. Driven by an expansive curiosity, he taught himself German, French, Italian, and studied Latin first with his son, and then at George Mason University. Delving deeper into his love of all things Roman, he commuted to the University of Maryland where he won the Oustanding Senior Classicist award in 2000 and graduated with a Master of Classics. As part of his studies, he authored an article (Nullus Videtur Dolo Facere: The Roman Seizure of Sardinia in 237 B.C.) in the journal Classical Philology.

Parallel with his legal work, he built the Latin program at Ad Fontes Academy and taught Latin and Roman History at George Mason University for more than twenty years. An early adopter of the internet, he created and published https://www.thelatinlibrary.com/, a website making public domain Latin texts freely available to scholars, students, and the general public.

Animated by a deep and inquisitive Christian faith, Bill arrived at the office early each morning to read the scriptures -- often in French, Italian, or Latin. With his family, Bill was an active member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church and Lord of Life Lutheran Church, frequently leading adult Bible studies. He also authored materials for and served on many Via De Cristo retreats, sometimes behind the scenes in the kitchen, sometimes leading the weekend, always creating fun and laughter.

He was an avid explorer, whether spending a summer with Holly in Exeter, England during law school, or dipping into Tunisia on his own in the middle of a Rome trip. Many know the joy of traveling with Bill. Whether a quiet week at the beach, a trip down memory lane in Paris, or an educational excursion to Rome and Italy, he planned and led dozens of trips for family, students, and friends.

As much as Bill loved traveling, so too he loved home and family. When the house two doors from his inlaws Helen and Ludi came on the market, Bill suggested moving into it; Holly and Bill lived there for thirty-eight years together. He was a devoted husband and father, and prioritized time with his Holly, Billy, Maren above all his other amazing activities.

Family and friends will be celebrating the life of William Carey at a funeral service at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Haymarket, Virginia, on August 16th at 1:00 P.M. Bill loved dogs, learning (especially Latin!), and Jesus. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to organizations that support these loves.