William T. Carter, Jr.

Rev. Dr. WILLIAM T. CARTER SR., age 68, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away on Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, at 12:30 a.m. at Select Specialty Hospital from complications of heart disease. A celebration of Bill Carter's life and a reception will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, on the Philander Smith College (PSC) campus, 900 Daisy Bates Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202. The memorial service will commence at 10:30 am in Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. A reception will follow in the Dr. Randolph Nugent Mission Center at Kendall Center. Rev. Dr. William T. Carter was born in Greenwood, Miss. to Willie W and Genevieve Carter on April 23, 1942. He graduated from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., and from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Ill. with a Masters of Divinity. Affectionately known as Bill, his first full-time pastorate was at Maple Park United Methodist Church in Chicago. In 1972, he became the executive director for the Chicago Chapter of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, a job he held until he moved to New York to join the staff of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries in 1979. His accomplished career ended after retirement in 2006, which included distinguishing milestones of 40 years as a United Methodist clergy, national and international mission-driven service, as well as 27 years as Director of the Advance for Christ and His Church, a designated giving channel, (also known as "second mile" giving). Thirty to Thirty five million dollars passed through the Advance each year in the almost three decades Carter led the program. Bill is preceded in death by both his parents; two sisters; Barbara Susan Carter-Barnes and Carolyn Carter; along with a middle brother, Charles Carter. Bill is survived by: his wife, Etta F. Carter; his children, Carla F. Carter and William T. Carter Jr.; His youngest brother, Bradford Carter; four grandchildren, Omega Hamilton, Alante Carter, Amani Carter and Ariel Carter; a great granddaughter, Iris Hamilton; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and an expanded family of numerous colleagues and friends. Services are entrusted to Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 Chester Street, Little Rock, Ark. (501)372-1305.