William J. Carter, Sr.

William J. Carter, Sr. (Bill) was born October 13, 1942, to Robert H. Carter II and Charlene (Taylor) Carter in Chicago, Illinois. Bill attended Harlan and Morgan Park high schools in Chicago, IL. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force. He also attended Capital University in Columbus, OH where he earned a certificate in Business Management. Bill is a Man of God who accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. His values are rooted in faith and family; he loves God and cherishes his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He received the Black Family of the Year Award from the City of Columbus in 1985. He is one of the founding members of Columbus Christian Center and served in many roles including head usher and security team member. As a young man, Bill worked as an account representative for R.H. Donnelly Company Yellow Pages in Chicago, IL. He was a successful businessman, and held various management positions as SBC, Ameritech, and received the Salesman of the Year award at Shindana Toys. Bill was also a partner and vice president of MarkeTrends. He served as the Executive Director of INCREASE CDC, a faith-based community development corporation focused on developing, training, and investing in microentrepreneurs from which he retired in 2015. He helped hundreds of individuals start and grow their businesses, creating jobs throughout the central Ohio community. Over the years, Bill volunteered for various groups and organizations such as the Action Alliance of Black Managers, where he served as President and Ecco Family Health Center, where he was Board Chair. He served others as a wise, thoughtful, and compassionate leader, and inspired many individuals to step out on faith and fulfill their dreams. His legacy and impact on individuals and economic development in the central Ohio community will never be forgotten. He truly is a passionate Family Man, Entrepreneur, Leader and a Legend in his own time. Bill was preceded in death by both of his parents, his older brother, Robert H. Carter III and his son, Reginald Carter, Sr. Bill leaves to celebrate his life, his loving wife of 34 years, Deborah Carter; his sister, Barbara Arnold. Children: William, Jr. (Sheila), Michael (Tunisia), Pamela (D’Arcy), Kevin (Juliet) and Elizabeth (Anthony); Grandchildren: William (Jacquelyn), Erica (Will), Reginald, Jr., Terilise (William), Damien, Malika, Rechele (Jaron), Martin, Michael II, Garrah, Kameryn (Loren), Marcus, Ryan, TrèAna, Jalen, Mariah, Myles, Courtney, Malcolm, Kayla, Micah, Edward, Eugene, Dejah, Mekiah, and Camille; Great Grandchildren: Desiree, India, Venecia, Akelia, Nigel, Zion, Kaius, Loren, Nadia, Jaxson, William, Nia, Amaiya and Jaron, Jr. Bill departed his earthly life on February 28, 2022. He fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith and has been rewarded the Crown of Righteousness. He is more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus.