William H. "Bill" Carter

William H. “Bill” Carter of Lake Park, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the age of 85. Born in Lake Park on February 6, 1940, to the late Daisy & Harley Levi Carter, William grew up in this area and attended Valdosta High School, graduating in the 1950's. He served in the Air Force, and served overseas in Thailand. Later, he graduated from VSC with a history degree.

He met the former Clarabeau Brightman Tomlinson at Valdosta Airport, and shortly after they moved briefly to Memphis, Tennessee and Minnesota so that William could gain his Masters of Theology from Harding University. In 1980 he moved to Madison County, Florida, and preached at Greenville Church of Christ for several years before moving back to Lake Park in the mid 1990s. There, he and Clarabeau started Carter Country Home, a personal care home that they operated for over 25 years.

William is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Barclay & Dee Carter of Valdosta; son, Neal Carter of Lake Park; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Cindy & Barry York of Montgomery, AL; stepson, Bruce Brightman of Lawrenceville; grandchildren, Spencer (Aleena) Carter, Nicholas (Shelby) Carter, Jessica (Phillip) Verner, Melissa (Anthony) Brightman, Brittany Brightman, Lydia (Damen) Menditto, and Hunter Freeman; great grandchildren, Julian Carter, Georgia Carter, Ian McDonald, Lilly Verner, Luke Verner, and Connor Barrett; brother, Jerry (Jean) Carter; and sister, Donna Sue (David) Copeland.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Clarabeau Carter; brother, Darius Carter; sister, Faye Carter; and stepson, Doug Brightman.

A service will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at the Lake Park Church of Christ with Mr. Jerry Carter officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11am, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Lake Park Church of Christ are appreciated. Condolences may be conveyed on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com. 

McLane Lakewood Funeral Home.