William Hampton Carver Jr.

CARVER, William Hampton Jr., 82, departed this life peacefully on Tuesday, November 25, 2008, in the company of his former wife, Mrs. Ann Foreacre Carver; his five daughters, Catherine Ann Carver, Susan Waverly Neaman, Carolyn Marie Sharff and husband, Tim, Hallie Amanda Booth, Claudia Sigur Farrell and her husband, John; Mr. Carver's son, Wm. Hampton Carver III and wife, Honor; and grandson, Oliver Smith. He is further survived by granddaughters, Dillon Lauren Neaman and Emily Ann Carver; his sister, Mrs. Marie Bond of Atlanta, Georgia; and by many family members and friends. William Hampton Carver Jr. "Bill Carver" was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 9, 1926, to Delores Sheridan and William Hampton Carver Sr. He attended Christ the King School and served the cathedral for many years as an altar boy. While attending Marist College, now the Marist School, in Atlanta, Bill excelled in sports, earning the nickname "Dynamite" for his explosive performance on the field. He enlisted in the Navy to serve his country during WWII as a Navy Corpsman, and while stationed at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, aided in the mending and rehabilitation of wounded U.S. service personnel. As a member of the Greatest Generation, Bill carried clear memories and lessons of the Great Depression and his military service throughout his life as he pursued career and family. Following honorable discharge upon the war's end, Bill earned a B.S. from the University of Georgia with the help of the GI Bill. Upon graduation, Bill joined Pfizer Laboratories in 1951 as a sales rep. Alongside his Pfizer associates numbering only 100 at the time, Bill pioneered the commercial introduction of the "wonder drugs," Penicillin and Terramycin. Bill excelled, advancing to District Sales Manager as Pfizer Labs grew to over 1,000 sales reps. In a relationship that exceeded 50 years, Bill, a salesman's salesman, set the company standard for product knowledge, perseverance and integrity. His standing within the company to which he was so devoted is immortalized in Pfizer, Inc.'s 150-year history publication. An avid sportsman and lover of the outdoors, Bill enjoyed wing shooting, fishing and walks in the country at Cedar Farm, his family's residence in Goochland County, Virginia. His conversant, quick-witted nature and his desire to make a difference in the lives of others will be missed by those who knew him. A family service will be held at Bliley's - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave., Richmond, where the family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. A true son of Georgia, Bill's remains will be returned home where he will be laid to rest during a graveside ceremony in Atlanta's Westview Cemetery alongside his mother and father. Thoughts and prayers are welcome; and, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the March of Dimes.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.