William Benjamin Carter Sr.

William Benjamin Carter, Sr., son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, civil servant, entrepreneur, accomplished singer, skilled golfer, and child of God. He was affectionately called “Pop”, “Pah-Pah”, “Uncle BB”, “Uncle Bill”, “Cousin Bill” by his children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and “Weakjive” by his brothers and childhood companions.

He grew up in East Dayton, Ohio and the Crown Point neighborhood in West Dayton where his mother, Esther Mae, raised him and his brothers in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Bill was married 75 years to the love of his life the late Iula Olivia Carter and their union produced William Jr., Peggy, James, Samuel, Charles, and Teresa.

Bill was educated in the Dayton, Ohio school system and he completed technical college courses, worked as a career civil servant, and helped build various businesses.  He graduated from Dunbar High School and finished courses at Miami University. As a civil service manager at the Defense Electronics Supply Center for 26+ years, he received numerous performance awards and special recognition for service in the Vietnam war zone.  Bill built his own trucking business, assisted his stepfather Richard Carter in establishing a retail community store, helped his father-in-law build an electrical contracting enterprise, and facilitated development of a safety and security systems business.

God blessed Bill with incredible vocal talent. He had a melodious 1st tenor voice and a discriminating ear for tonality. Bill sang professionally in concert halls and churches, performed in plays and weddings, and he was featured as a soloist in duets, quartets, and choirs. He loved music of all types including church anthems, a cappella, operatic, and Broadway showtunes. He would hear musical chords and intuitively sing the 1st tenor part with confidence and flair. If other vocalists who sang with Bill were off pitch, they knew it. In response, he would instinctively contort his face as if he was in pain, would look over his glasses with distain at the offender, and would sing the right pitch for the offender.   

William was an accomplished golfer with a zero handicap in his prime. With six children in the house, he had ample practice refining his swing. He loved telling the story of how he bested the city amateur champion. He had a passion to instruct all who expressed interest in the fundamentals of the golf.

To Pop family was an inclusive group bounded by loving relationships. Support for family was part of his DNA. He stressed the importance of family support through stories he shared about grandaunts and cousins caring for his older brother James and him while their mother was ill, how the family adapted to the death of a sibling and a devastating fire that destroyed the family business and severely injured his mother and brother. To facilitate family successes, Bill provided encouragement, moral stability, and financial assistance to his brothers, children, and grandchildren.

William is survived by six children William P. Carter "Jr."(Jennifer), Peggy E. Jones, James Z. Carter Sr. (Cynthia), Samuel Carter (Doris), Charles C. Carter I (Jackie), Teresa I. Caldwell, 18 grandchildren Teri Lynn Slaton, Jermaine Carter,  Martin Hill (Jennifer), Eddie Allen (Carol), Lamarr Allen, Anise Simpson, Tyrice Jones (Chantell), Constancia E. Carter, James Z. Carter Jr (Monique), Dorian S. Carter (LaToya), Kikia R. DaSilva (Thiago), Samarra O. Carter, Charles C. Carter Jr., Desiren McHenry, Jordan Kavanaugh (William), Robert Caldwell III, Ranard Caldwell, Raymond Caldwell, and 29 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.  His wife Iula, mother Esther Mae Carter, his brothers James, Samuel, Joseph and David; and beloved cousin Mary Henderson preceded William in death.

Funeral service 11 am Friday, May 19, 2023 at Phillips Temple CME Church, 3620 Shiloh Springs Rd, Trotwood, OH.  Visitation 9 am- 11 am. Family to receive friends 10 am-11 am. Interment West Memory Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to House of Wheat Funeral Home.

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