William Jesse "Bill" Carter. Jr.

Funeral services for William Jesse Carter, Jr. will be conducted at 2:00 PM Friday, November 22, 2024, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Josh Braddy officiating. Interment will follow in the Brady Cemetery. Mr. Carter, age 82, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord on Saturday, November 16, 2024, in Prentiss. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The Carter family will receive friends 2 hours prior to the funeral service, beginning at 12:00 Noon Friday, at Saulters Moore Funeral Home.

Bill was born on May 17, 1942, in, Laurel, Mississippi, where he graduated from Laurel High School and also made his mark as a football player.

 After high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy, where he proudly served on the USS Forrestal and in the Vietnam War. This chapter in his life underscored his deep sense of duty and loyalty to his country.  A man of great character and dedication, he began his career with the Illinois Central Railroad in 1968 and continued to serve faithfully in the rail industry until his retirement as a Conductor with its successor, the Canadian National Railroad. 

Bill will be remembered as a loving husband for 54 years to his late wife, Linda Reynolds Carter. Together, they built a warm and nurturing home in Prentiss, where they raised their beloved family. Bill's passion for family was evident in all he did; his children and grandchildren were the center of his life, and he found immense joy in their pursuits and milestones.

Beyond his professional and familial commitments, Bill embraced various hobbies that showcased his creative spirit and zest for life. He was an avid gardener, finding pleasure in cultivating muscadines, and took great pride in his skills as a winemaker. In his earlier years, Bill enjoyed flying friends around in his 57 Aeronca Chief airplane. Moreover, he was a talented woodworker, mastering the art of crafting custom walking sticks. Throughout his life, he selflessly shared many of his handcrafted walking sticks to patients at various cancer centers and also any individual who had mobility issues, embodying his generosity and compassion.  Mr. Carter was a member of Prentiss Baptist Church.

Mr. Carter is preceded in death by his parents, William Jesse, Sr and Mildred May Carter; his wife, Linda Reynolds Carter; his son, William Jesse Carter, III; sister, Linda Carter McNeil and an infant sister, Lydia Jean Carter.

His memory will forever be cherished by his sons, Allan Reynolds Carter (Pepper) of Ridgeland, Dr. John Christopher Carter of McComb and his brother, Drew Carter (Nancy) of Hattiesburg. The legacy of their Granddad will also live on through his grandchildren, Ricky Lee Carter, Spencer Blaker Carter (Sarah Catherine), and Cade Allan Carter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind, 1253 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS 39211; (601) 984-8154.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com