Billy Joe Carter

Billy Joe Carter, 82, of rural Flat Rock, IL, died at 1:37 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, IN. He was born on August 29, 1936 in Lawrenceville, IL, the son of Oscar Carter & Jesse (Taylor) Carter; both of whom preceded him in death. He married Elizabeth Lee Creech on October 13, 1962 and she preceded him in death on October 20, 2013. He is also preceded in death by his brothers & sisters- in-law, Earnest & Francis Carter, Troyd & John Ann Carter, Cloyd & Ruth Carter and Taylor Carter; by his brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Maurice Barrett, Warren & Lora Creech and Roger & Shirley Houghtaling; a nephew in infancy; and by his nieces, Dee Aten, Rita Carter, and Lorie Barrett. He is survived by his children & their spouses, David & Mary Carter (Flat Rock, IL), Cheryl Townley (Flat Rock, IL), Lydia & Todd Fancil (Oblong, IL), and Terri & Jamie VanderStelt (Mt. Vernon, IL); by 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; by his sister, Irma Barrett (Flat Rock, IL); as well as several nieces and nephews. Bill was a 1955 graduate of Lawrence County High School. He went on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman from 1955-1959. Back home, he dedicated much of his life to working the fields as a farmer. He also worked for Briggs Pottery for a time. When he allowed himself time to relax, it was often spent outdoors, be that fishing or camping. No matter what he was doing, he preferred to do it with his family by his side. They were the light of his world and will remember their dad and granddad as a jokester who showed his love for them through teasing! They are his legacy and will carry on his memory for as long as they live. Bill was a man of faith, and there is peace in knowing that he has been reunited with Elizabeth in the presence of God alongside the countless others in the faith who have gone before. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18th at the Port Jackson Cemetery with Pastor Jon Wiseman officiating. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Flat Rock is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the “Riley Children’s Hospital”, with envelopes available at the cemetery.