Posted on 11/08/2018
William Levy Carpenter, 92, died on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. He was born in Columbia, SC, and was the son of Dr. Levy Leonidas Carpenter and Lucille O'Brien Carpenter.
He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years Anne Maddrey Carpenter, his children Becky (Ralph) Bouton, Billy (Nancy) Carpenter, and Bobby Carpenter. He is also survived by two daughters-in-law Tudda Carpenter and Cleo Crank, as well as his grandchildren Owen (Merrie) Bouton, Rob Bouton, Will (Toni) Bouton, Matt (Tait) Carpenter, Carrie (Cam) Smith, Rebecca (Josh) Gault, Charlie Carpenter, Meadows (Ann) Carpenter, Ingram (Kyle Yelencsics) Carpenter, Chase Carpenter, and Chandler Carpenter. He also had 18 great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his first wife, Blanche Owen Carpenter and his brother, Robert Carpenter.
Bill graduated from Waco High School, Waco, Texas and attended NC State for one year before entering the US Naval Academy. After earning a degree in electrical engineering, he served five years at sea then returned to the Academy to teach. He then began a long association with J.E. Sirrine Company eventually becoming president and chief executive officer. Before retiring in 1996, he was chair of Rust Environmental and Infrastructure, Inc.
He served as president of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, The United Way of Greenville, Greenville Symphony, the Southern Connector and Highlands Falls Country Club. In 1999, Bill was honored by St. Francis Hospital by establishing the William L. Carpenter Heart Center. In 2001, he received an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Furman University. He was on the founding board of the Upstate History Museum, as well as serving on numerous other boards.
In 2014 for his financial support to many charities, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his charitable giving. He also volunteered at the Greenville Literacy Association and delivered Meals on Wheels. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church Greenville, serving as a senior deacon and chair of many committees.
In 2017, the South Carolina General Assembly acknowledged Bill for his significant contributions to the betterment of lives of the citizens of South Carolina.
Bill loved playing golf and spending time at his summer home at Highlands Falls Country Club. He was a wonderful grandfather and known to many as Papa. He will be remembered by his friends for his humor and "true" stories.
Bill quietly but graciously provided leadership, vision and financial support across many organizations and initiatives. His impact will last for generations.
The family expresses deepest gratitude to Papa's caregivers Sheba Fuller, Rebecca Chapman, Jack Logan, Ricardo Gordon and the many staff members and medical staff at The Haven in the Village at Chanticleer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Ministries Carpenter-Maddrey Stabilization Fund, 606 Pendleton St. Greenville, SC 29601or the charity of one's choice.
A celebration of Bill's life is planned for Friday, November 9 at 2 o'clock at the Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel on the Furman University campus. The family will greet guests at the Hartness Pavilion immediately after the service.
Published in The Greenville News on Nov. 8, 2018