William J. Carter, Jr, 90, of Mattapoisett died unexpectedly on Friday, June 4, 2010. He was the husband of Winifred T. (Francis) Carter for 67 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late William and Mary (Boissonneau) Carter, he lived in New Bedford until moving to Mattapoisett in the 1960's.
He was a 1936 graduate of Holy Family High School where he excelled in all sports, receiving a football scholarship to Providence College from where he graduated in 1940. He later became a teacher and coach at Holy Family High school in the summer year 1941 - 1942. He joined the U.S. Navy (90 day wonder program) in 1942. He attended Notre Dame and Northwestern Universities and was commissioned as ensign in December of 1942. He was assigned to the U.S.S. PC 1191 based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and conducted convey escort duty in the Atlantic and Caribbean. In early 1944, he was promoted to full lieutenant and was assigned as captain of LSM 221. He participated in the invasion of Okinawa, and the D-Day landing on April 1, 1945. Of his medals, he was most proud of the Star medal for being captain on naval ships during wartime.
Upon returning to civilian life in 1946 he opened a men's clothing store on William Street. The business still survives in New Bedford and Fall River operating as Carter's Clothing and Footwear under the ownership of his son, Stephen Carter.
He also was active in real estate sales and appraisal and was recognized as an expert witness in land damage cases and other matters. He enjoyed all sports and was an avid golfer and member of the Whaling City and New Bedford Country Clubs.
Survivors include his beloved wife; three sons, William "Skip" Carter and his wife Joni of Lakeville, Paul Carter of New Bedford and Stephen Carter and his wife Kathleen of Dartmouth; three daughters, Karen E. Halloran of Dartmouth, Janice A. Hollis and her husband Dudley of Bermuda and Christine M. Mello and her husband Wayne of Fairhaven; a sister, Pearl Pataki of Dayton, Ohio; 12 grandchildren, Ben, Elizabeth and Emma Carter, Tracy Garcia, Jennifer Griffith, Robyn Carter, Michael and Brian Halloran, Erin Burdman, Kevin, Sean and Trevor Carter; six great-grandchildren, Kayli, Makena, Damian, Owen, Brennan and Liam.
He was the father of the late Kelly A. Carter and the brother of the late Mary Senesac and Lillian Marshall.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett Tuesday, June 8th at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Anthony's Church at 10 AM. Visiting hours Monday, June 7th from 4-8 PM.