William "Bill" J. Carter passed away January 18th in Ames, surrounded by his family. He was born October 19th, 1925 in Ames, Iowa, son of Sam T. Carter and Lorena Cure Carter. He grew up in Ames, various Iowa and northern Missouri communities, and graduated from East High School in Sioux City in 1943. After attending Morningside College in Sioux City and Iowa State College, he entered the US Army in 1944 and served in the 8th Air Corps. As a ball turret gunner on a B17 bomber crew, he completed a tour of 35 missions over Germany. He received his discharge at the conclusion of WWII and completed his education at Iowa State College in 1949.

In May of the same year he married Vivian Smith of Nashua, Iowa. They had four children, Christine, David, Deborah, and Joseph. After graduation, the couple farmed in Woodbury County, Iowa until 1955. He also taught farm training classes funded by the GI Bill through 1953. From 1955 until 1966 he traveled in western, central, and southern Iowa doing agricultural sales work. He began work at National Bank and Trust of Chariton, Iowa in 1966. He advanced to become president of that bank and retired from banking in 1983. He remained active in farm management, rural appraisal, farm real estate sales, and ag consulting until 2000.

In 1986, Bill and Vivian moved to Ames where he was the sixth generation of his family to live out their lives in Story County. In Ames, he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who have all lived nearby. He was active in the First United Methodist Church in Ames as well as in Chariton. Bill also was an active member of the Chariton Rotary club and the Golden K Kiwanis in Ames.

Bill's lifelong professional interest was production agriculture and serving the needs of Iowa farmers and their families. He was active in the Iowa Bankers Association, the Iowa Cattleman's Association, and Farm Management and Rural Appraisers association.

Bill is survived by his wife, Vivian of Ames, a brother Chuck Carter and his wife Carol of Lynchburg, Virginia, children David Carter and his wife Deborah of Ames, Deborah and her husband Jim Fisher of Boone, and Joe Carter and his wife Sandy of Story City. Also surviving are a niece, seven grand children and twelve great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter Christine in 1966.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Ames on February 1st at 11 A.M, followed by a luncheon at the church. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Chariton, Iowa. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Ave., Ames, IA 50010, or the Ames Historical Society, 416 Douglas Ave., Ames, IA 50010.