William "Jack" Perry Carpenter

William Perry Carpenter better known an “Jack” to friends and family, passed away Wednesday morning, April 30th at Waddell Nursing Home  in Galax, Virginia after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was born in Durham, NC  February 13, 1931 to Henry Perry and Nene Mae Carpenter, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was the mother of his children, Betty Barbour Carpenter, a sister, Dorothy Bullock and husband Ben, residents of Durham.

 “Jack” was a graduate of Durham High School June, 1948. He then graduated from Croft Secretarial & Accounting School in October, 1949.

He proudly served our Country in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean War and achieved an honorable discharge on July 19, 1954.

Upon returning from his tour of duty he graduated with honors from UNC Chapel Hill with a BSBA in July 1958.  He was a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honorary Business Fraternity and the winner of the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award, 1958.

His career began with Cameron-Brown Mortgage Company, where he earned an MAI designation from the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. He retired from First Union Bank (now Wells Fargo) as a Senior Vice President. Most of his adult life was spent in Raleigh where he raised his family. His hobbies included golfing, fishing and hunting with friends.

In 2000 he married Doris Laws White of Galax, VA. where he resided until his death. 

As a child he attended Grace Baptist Church in Durham and upon his marriage to Doris moved his membership to First United Methodist Church in Galax. 

Survivors include his wife Doris of almost 14 years; daughters Diane Pope and husband David of Newbern, NC  and daughter Amy Stewart of  Wilmington, NC; Carol Carpenter of Raleigh and daughters Lara Rock and husband Robert of Columbus, MS and daughter  Cristi Tarrant and husband Derek of Mebane, NC; son Kenneth Carpenter and wife Hayley of Rome, GA and their children, daughter Ella and son Grant both of  Rome, GA., Jessica Salmon and husband Dustin and their daughter Gracie of Washington State; one step –daughter and one step-son also survive as do two step-grandsons; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive; special friend and caregiver Jenny Baumgardner. 

The family would   like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Waddell Nursing Home for their love and support over the past four and half years and also to Drs. Pryor, Pemberton and Lastinger. 

A graveside service will be held Saturday May 3rd at 11:00 AM at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham. 

The family request that food and flowers be omitted and that memorials be made to either the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 445 Galax, VA 24333; the Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Avenue, 17th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601-7603; the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22311 or  to the charity of the donor’s choice.