John William (Bill) Carpenter, Sr. crossed over to heaven on December 3, 2018.  He was born on October 30, 1925, and was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lydia; wife, the former Joyce McDivitt; sons, John, Jr. (Bubba), David; and infant daughter Debra Dianne.  He is survived by his sister, Betty Ann Reese; sons, Larry and M.E (Butch) Bibbs; daughter, CJ (Cindy) McCormack, as well as eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A 1943 graduate of Southside High School, he excelled in basketball and baseball, and was named All Memphis.  He then served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as a corpsman.  After the war, he played semi professional baseball, then worked as an advertising artist at Bemis Bags and later had his own agency.  When not at work, he was an avid fisherman.

A member of Faith Baptist Church in Bartlett, he and his family were also long-time members of LaBelle Haven Church, where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was baptized.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Faith Baptist Church, Bartlett, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. at Forest Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, East 901-382-1000/ www.forestfh.com.