August W. Carson

August William "Bill" Carson

72, of Fishers, died August 1, 2011. He was born September 3, 1938 in Beech Grove, Indiana and was a 1961 graduate of Franklin College, where he excelled in football and baseball and was active in student government and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. In 1963 Bill became Executive Director of Indiana Builders Association, a position he held for 42 years, until his retirement in 2006.

Bill was respected by those "on both sides of the aisle" as an advocate for affordable housing in Indiana. He received numerous awards during his career, and was honored by the Indiana Senate and House of Representatives when his accomplishments were entered in the Congressional Record by U. S. Senator Richard Lugar. He was also named by five Indiana governors as a "Sagamore of the Wabash" for his distinguished service to Indiana. Bill used his energy, money, and talents of persuasion to improve and support St. Mary's Child Center, which helps at-risk children. He served on their Board of Directors.

Bill will be remembered as a man of great generosity, loyalty, integrity, humor, and warmth. He enjoyed playing gin rummy with friends, and founded AGRA, the American Gin Rummy Association. He loved regaling family with countless stories, and demonstrating to the unsuspecting his magic and rubber band tricks.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 16 years, Paulette A. Carson; children Julie Carson Duguay (Bob), Brad Carson, Laurie Boicourt (Vic); step-son Chad Baker (Kindra); grandchildren Jesse, Kyle, Kayla, Janelle, Jaycie, and Kiera; sister Sharon Brewer; in-laws Lee and Terrie Butz, Sam and Pat Hunter, Jan and Jim Kolva, and Ric and Rhonda Butz; his loving nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents William and Billie Carson and his mother Flora Evans.

A private funeral was held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. A memorial visitation to celebrate Bill's remarkable life will be held at Ironwood Golf Club Clubhouse, 10955 Fall Road, Fishers, IN from 1 to 4 pm. It was Bill's wish that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Bill Carson Scholarship Fund at Indiana Builders Association or to St. Mary's Child Center. Online condolences may be made at http://www.flanner-buchanan.com, where you can see photos and read more about Bill's life. Arrangements are entrusted to Flanner and Bucha nan Funeral Center - Zionsville .