By Michael Carl
Banker, Marine, Navy Supply Corps Officer, Dow Chemical Senior Research Specialist, inventor, actor, teacher, preacher, and author William Carl went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 26, 2013.
Longtime friend George Kilmetz says that Bill Carl was an amazing person.
His friend Doug Williams agrees.
“Bill served on the Early Ballot Board of Bowie County for the Republican Party. Only people respected, by all parties, for their honesty, integrity, and intelligence are selected to serve on that board,” Doug observed.
“As the Election Judge for the Early Ballot Board I can tell you he was a great asset to the community. Among his peers, and anyone who knew him, admired his intellect, patriotism, high principles, and dedication to God and his family,” Doug also observed.
“We've lost a good friend and will miss his wisdom, guidance, and sense of humor. He was an educated man with life experiences that combined to make him unique and a leader. I watched many people in high places seek his council. He was always willing to help and share his knowledge,” Doug further observed.
Among the many accomplishments in Bill’s life are the following:
He was born in San Antonio, Texas on December 7, 1933 and the West Huisache house in which he spent his early years was the subject of his short story, “The House That Made Me Me.”
He worked as a banker for several years before being drafted into the navy.
His military career involved a three-year hitch in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1952 to 1955 and was drafted into the Navy in 1956.
He married Dallas schoolteacher Margery Ann Jones in 1956.
He and Margery had two children, Michael Carl in 1958 and Melissa Carl Rust in 1965.
After the navy, he went to North Texas State and earned his Master of Science in Chemistry.
He worked first for DuPont and then 27-years for Dow.
While at Dow, Bill earned 28 patents for inventions in plastics, polymer research processes, and polymer chemistry.
He organized The Joyful Noise Christian singing group and directed several local access television programs for the group. He acted in several musicals at the Brazosport Music Theatre and had a leading role in the musical, “The Fantasticks.”
He taught Sunday School for thirty years, directed a church choir, and on occasion did supply preaching.
He retired from Dow in 1992, moved to Springfield, Missouri and immediately became active at James River Assembly of God. With his son Michael he helped organize a mission board and served as treasurer for 16 years.
After the death of his wife Margery in 2005, he started his fourth career as a novelist.
In 2006, God blessed Bill by bringing Barbara Hazlewood into his life. They married in January of 2008.
He said Barbara was his inspiration for writing. Bill published eight novels and contributed to an anthology of short stories.
A vital part of Bill’s life was his family. He will be greatly missed by his wife Barbara Carl, his son Michael, daughter Melissa, his step-daughter Suzy Irwin, his daughter-in-law Yasue Carl, his son-in-law Randy Rust, his step son-in-law Robert Irwin, and his grandchildren Daniel Carl, Joshua Carl, Brandon Rust, Jordan Rust, Katy Beth Irwin, and Natalie Irwin, seven nieces, and one nephew Allen Ray.
Bill’s Memorial Service will be Thursday, May 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church.
Online tributes may be made at www.eastfuneralhomes.com.
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