William D. Carter, better known as Billy, son of late Ernest H. Carter Sr. and Arcelia B. Carter, was born August 2, 1950 in Wilmington, Delaware. He departed this life peacefully on Tuesday, September 5th, in his home in Wilmington.

He was educated in Wilmington public schools where he excelled academically and even skipped a grade twice, despite having been dropped on his head as a baby by his big sister Zenobia. After school, he was drafted into the Army in 1969 where he served and was honorably discharge. He then went on to travel the U.S. living in places like San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Miami. He returned to Wilmington and met Mary Howard Wright and later Susie Grimes and life rewarded him with his first three children, Brandon “Mark” Carter, William Carter-Grimes, and Morgan Richardson (Justin husband). But life’s rewards didn’t end there. He later met and married Dora M. Carter in 1991 and to this union were born Zachary D. Carter and Lauren A. Carter.

After a lucrative a career as a professional gambler, Billy spent some time working for the US Railroad before finally settling on a career in the Laborers International Union of North America Local 199 in Wilmington. It is there that he rose through the ranks from Laborer, to Organizer, to President and eventually Business Manager. It is in that role that he retired in 2012.

During his tenure in leadership of Local 199, he worked hard to elevate the status of the Union. He successfully lobbied the Department of Labor to get Laborers recognized as a Construction Class trade. He negotiated a longer-term contract as a standard that helped ensure that union members maintained their jobs and benefits even in the midst of the recession. His leadership brought back the vacation fund, grew the pension credit and hourly wage, and opened up a new hall with its own training facility so members no longer had to travel out of state for required courses. He was passionate about giving opportunities and second chances to those who wanted to work.

Often quiet and pensive, he was quite the intellectual, and enjoyed anything that would challenge the mind. He was an avid boxing fan and dog trainer. Some have heard him sing some of his favorite Motown hits but few know that he wrote poetry and had since childhood. He could recite Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” from memory. As evidenced by his extensive photo collection, he was always a sharp dresser and loved to socialize and tell stories. He would want to be remembered as someone who inspired others to achieve. Aside from his children, he leaves a legacy as a smart man who could adapt to any social circle—from the streets to the White House.

He was predeceased by his wife, Dora M. Carter, parents, Ernest H. Carter, Sr. and Arcelia B. Carter, and two brothers, Edward G. Carter and Lorenzo Carter.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his children, and grandchildren, Alana Gibbs, Kelaiah and Karter Brown, Madison Richardson, and Lia Burley; uncle, Nathaniel “Nate” Barnette of Detroit, MI; brother, Ernest H. Carter, Jr. (Dianna); sister, Zenobia C. Moultrie (Clint); special cousins, Edwin “Eddie” Mitchell and Paulos Springfield, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and best friends including Rev. Reginald Jackson and Nealy Banks.

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