Willard “Willie” Lee Carter, age 78, of Terry, MT passed away on March 3, 2017 at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Billings, MT with his daughter Heather by his side
Willie Carter was born in Rushville, NE on March 14, 1938 the son of George and Vietta (Ewing) Carter. Shortly after the family moved to Montana where Willie attended grade school and high school. Willie graduated from Terry High School in 1957. After high school he began working for farmers in Terry along with helping his father operate his D7 cat. He also worked for Bond Drilling, Buffalo Rapids Irrigation, Bud and Betty’s and GTA/Harvest State Elevator. When Willie had vacation days he loved to help local farmers haul sugar beets and farm. In 1971 Willie married Joyce Degnan, and to this union had one daughter Heather in 1972. After a brief retirement and being an avid gardener himself, Willie began working for the gardening center at Wal-Mart in Miles City.
Willie was an avid sports watcher and his favorite teams to watch were the New York Yankees, Nebraska Corn Huskers, Rams and his favorite Terry Terriers. It was widely known that he would travel the state of Montana sleeping in his van to follow his hometown team and support them as much as he could. Willie won the #1 fan award from the Terry High School, something he was especially proud of. In his earlier years he loved dancing, cards and helping with the local derbies during fair time. Willie loved collecting model trains and acquired a vast collection over the years. He enjoyed gardening and maintained a very large garden, most of which he liked to give away. He was a member of the Jaycee’s and the Fallon Village Council. Willie will always be remembered for his big smile, his quick witty humor and his kind generous nature.
Willie is survived by his daughter, Heather Carter of Terry, MT; one sister, Catherine (Lewis) Diehlman of Box Elder, MT; Deb Carter and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Tim, Georgie and sister Mary Alice.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home in Terry, MT. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home in Terry. Interment will be at the Prairie County Cemetery. Should friends desire condolences can be made to the family by visiting stevensonandsons.com. Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Terry High School Athletic Department, the Terry Baseball Association or the Terry Soccer Association.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 8, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring St
Terry, MT 59349
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday March 9, 2017
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, MT 59349
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 8, 2017
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring St
Terry, MT 59349
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Thursday March 9, 2017
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, MT 59349
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Dennis Haughian says
Farewell old friend — you were a very good man.
Cheryl Smutt says
Sorry for your loss. Willie was a very nice person and a good friend.
Cheryl Neal says
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5)
Rest and peace. Willie. Always enjoyed seeing you at Wal-Mart taking such great care with the plants.
Hugs to you, Heather.
Troy and JoDee Hess says
Thoughts and prayers to you Heather! I have many good memories of your Dad! He was a good neighbor.
Arlen & Barbie Kirkaldie says
We always enjoyed seeing Willie at Walmart, he always had a smile he shared with everyone. Kind sweet man.
Craig Dunnam says
Willie seemed to be an icon in Terry. It seems like I always saw him about the town. And then in later years I looked forward to seeing Willie in Walmart. You will be missed.
Deb Carter says
Prayers to you Heather. Who couldn’t love Willard? After all, he was a Carter!
Delite says
Heather-so sorry to hear about Willie. He was such a sports advocate for Terriers and Derbie king too. Take care of yourself and know we are all thinking of you.
Heather Moon says
So sorry to hear this..Willie was one of the best guys…always taking the time to stop & visit no matter how busy he was. Always a friendly smile and kind words to go with it. He did so many things for people out of the goodness of his heart & for his own reasons he didn’t want people to know. He was one of the best!
Ruth A Sullivan says
I met Willie at the Pleasant View Receiving Station, he was driving beet truck. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word. Will not forget the Black Crow that rode on his window in that truck. Prayers for his family.
Lon & Vicki Reukauf says
Heather, We are so sorry to hear that your wonderful dad passed away. He was so delightful with so much energy and love for his family. We are sending prayers for comfort and peace beyond all understanding.
Janice Kaul says
Heather, So sorry to hear about Willie. He was a great class mate , & friend. We visited often at Edgewood. He is at peace now. God bless.
Carol Larsen says
Dear Heather, I am so sorry about Willie. He always had a smile and Hello when I saw him. May God bless both of you. Carol
Tim and Cheri Hafla says
So sorry for your loss, we Loved Willie, always a smile and a visit whenever we saw him and he was so good to Tims Aunt Mary and his Dad Joe….God Bless
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles & Jim Liles says
We are going to miss seeing Willie in Miles City. He was a great guy Our sympathy to you. Jim and Mary Ann Liles
Judy and Larry says
We always appreciated the service we received from Willie when he worked at the Fallon Elevator. He was so accommodating and was such a hard worker. Then, in later years, we enjoyed seeing him in the garden shop at Walmart. He was always friendly and had time for a bit of a chat while lovingly tending to his plants as if they were his own. He was one of the good guys in this world a. We will keep you in our hearts and prayers, Heather, as you deal with your loss.
Arlen And Alice Miller says
Heather, Sorry to hear of your Dad, Our thoughts and prayers
Jim & Marj Anderson says
So sorry for your loss Heather. Willie was such a caring and friendly sole. Always a smile and a kind word. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. God bless.
Jeff & Kristine Harding says
Heather, our deepest sympathies to you . May you treasure the memories you created together.
Jamie & Trent Hess says
Many great memories of another Prairie County man. He always had Terrier pride and wore his purple coat whenever we saw him. Prayers to you.
Becky (Chouinard) Tipton says
To Willie’s family such a happy Soul! I loved watching him at the derby’s always a smile on his face even when he was doing cars. Treasure your memories and hold them close as they will help get you through the difficult days ahead.
RIP Willie we’ll see in later!
BECKY (Chouinard ) Tipton
Delphine Coon says
So sorry to hear about Willie. He always had a smile and visit when I would see him. Delphine Coon
Audrey and Greg says
409 1/2 Tatro
Audrey and Greg says
So sorry to hear about Willie got to know him when he came to see Mary at Holy Rosary. He was so good to her. Every time I seen him he was always so happy and friendly. He took the best care of the plants at Wal-Mart when he left they were never taken care of the way he took care of them. RIP Willie miss you.
Kelly and Cindy Conley says
We are so sorry to hear of Willie’s passing. He was such a kind man and a genuinely good person. He will be missed
Scott Waldo says
Willie always seemed to be working, and always had a handy way to make a fellow laugh . He will be missed.
Lee and Kathy Baugatz says
Heather , So very sorry to hear about your Dad ,you are in our thoughts and prayers .
Frank Kruse says
Heather, I knew your dad when we grew up. I remember one time Tim and I threw Willie in a hole full of snow in his short at about 10 below and he chased us up the street and caught Tim and started pounding on him and then he realized it was cold and he had to walk back to the house with bear feet. I could talk lot of old story’s. Terry will miss him.