William E Carr Jr.

William E Carr Jr, at the age of 86, joined his heavenly Father on March 2, 2025. His beloved wife of 39 years, Betsy, was by his side at their home in Ocala, FL, where he enjoyed the past 13 years.  He felt blessed and proud to be the father of Karin Diane Surber (John Sayre), Kelly Sue Gangl (Ken) and David William Carr (Marisa). His buttons burst over granddaughters, Kaitlyn, Taylor, Ashley, Molly and Gianni. He was grateful for the boys who came into the family – CJ and Lucas. Bill was over the moon as the Great Grandfather of Colton and Eleanor knowing two more great grandchildren were on the way. He is also survived by his sister Carolyn Sue Bailey, dear Cousin Judy, as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents William E. Carr and Bessie Irene (nee Crooks), Kissing Cousin Beverly Kosel, Mother-in-Law Anne Goyette, Sister-in-Law Suzy Richards and Brother-in-law Geoffrey Goyette.

Bill worked 32 years for General Motors, from 1959-1992. He joined Delco Electronics in 1962 after graduation from Purdue University with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He held positions as sales engineer in Kokomo, IN and Camden, New Jersey, later moving up through manufacturing to superintendent before assignments as national radio sales manager (60 people in 35 cities across the US) and then assistant general sales manager. He was director of Delco Electronics’ business plans new venture development. In 1983 he became the manager of Delco Electronics’ Milwaukee, WI operations. In 1985 he transferred to Delco Products division in Dayton, OH. He became plant manager at Machine Control Systems. He earned recognition from the U.S. Department of Defense for quality improvement. Bill developed a strategic planning process and reorganized a $1 billion international business. He was proud of his work as the project manager completing the acquisition of a $40 million French manufacturing business. In 1992 he managed the divestiture and sale of Machine Control Systems which, by then, was a $50 million manufacturing business.

Taking a well-deserved retirement from General Motors, Bill & Betsy bought an Airstream motorhome. Bill did the driving and along with “the boys”, their labrador retrievers Doc and Max, they visited all of the lower 48 states. Bill walked across the mouth of the Mississippi river; was a harness racing judge in Maine; ate fresh caught lobster from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean; caught Goliath Grouper in the Pacific Ocean; hiked along the Continental Divide; went snorkeling amongst the petroglyphs in Texas; surveyed the volcanic rock and large data array in New Mexico; caught salmon on the Rogue river in Oregon; fly-fished the Yellowstone river in Montana; went spelunking in the caves of Tennessee; and was a “Yellow Shirt” at the Indianapolis 500. For decades he attended the festivities and The Indianapolis 500 Race with family and friends and even became a season ticket holder in J Stand turn 3. Bill enjoyed working with wood and made several blue-ribbon winning cribbage boards. He learned to work with geodes and rocks, putting his talents into making cabochons for bolo ties. He enjoyed driving the highways of the United States using the handle of “Pencil Pusher” to talk with the truckers along the way.  Bill was an avid reader who most loved “Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig as well as the poems of Robert Frost, particularly “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and “Nothing Gold Can Stay”. His favorite biblical reference was Psalm 23. Music was always a big part of his life. He enjoyed concerts and jams around the campfires. His “traveling” CD collection numbered well over 100. From soft jazz, The Moody Blues, Stevie Wonder or Willie Nelson, he loved it all. In the end it was bluegrass that captured his heart. Bill enjoyed the competition of playing games such as contract bridge, cribbage, euchre, UNO, Phase 10, monopoly, and any other board or card game he was introduced to. He mastered Sudoku. He shot a 6 handicap in golf for decades, and introduced his passion for golf to all of his children. His all-time favorite movie was “Lawrence of Arabia”. His mastery of the fudge he made at Christmas time was appreciated by many! Bill always enjoyed birds and watching them was a favorite pastime.
Bill loved to laugh. He was generous with his time, talents and money. He was loving, kind, compassionate, positive and humble.

As a second career, Bill took a job in security at Bonita Bay working his way up from security guard to assistant community patrol manager. While there he received several awards: “You Make a Difference” President’s award for customer service; “Quality in the Workplace” award and over 40 stars for specific customer service achievements.  He became an Official Storm Spotter earning the SKYWARN spotter certification.  He completed the CAM (Community Association Manager) licensure as well.  He held a HAM operator license (N8ZFP).

Not least of his lifelong achievements was his Silver Beaver award in 1983 from the Sagamore Council Boy Scouts of America. He was Director of the Greater Estero Arts Council; on the board of directors for Dayton New Futures as well as the Greater Milwaukee Committee. He was a lifetime member of the Elks. He was member of Phi Beta Capa while at Purdue University.

Bill was given the challenge of living with Parkinson’s disease. He was an avid exerciser and attributed his personal trainer, Sue Lassiter, with helping him prolong his extraordinary quality of life. He suffered a massive stroke in November of 2024 but, in the end, it was his heart that gave out.

Raise your glass in a tribute to Bill and shout “Boiler UP”!

Memorials in his honor may be made to The United Way of Marion County, FL; World Vision; The Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinsons.