Willis Stanley Carothers

WILLIS STANLEY (BILL) CAROTHERS, 89, passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2005 surrounded by his family. He was born on March 23, 1916 in Kansas City, Missouri to John S. and Lottie M. Carothers. Bill attended San Jacinto High School. He entered the U. S. Marine Corps in 1940 and had the dubious distinction of serving in all three theaters during World War II; Pacific, American and European. In June of 1944, as Motor Transport Officer of the Sixth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marinas Islands, Bill earned a citation for the Bronze Star Medal. Bill was discharged in 1947. In November 1950 Bill went back to the Marines to serve in Korea until 1952 and retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1958 as Chief Warrant Officer-4. Bill was a faithful member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church. He was a Paul Harris Fellow with the Harrisburg Rotary Club and was also a member of POPS. He is survived by his loving wife of over 54 years, Helen Carothers; daughters, Donna Gregg and husband Don and Cathy Coleman and husband Ronnie; grandchildren, Brandy Gould and husband Kevin, Desirie Dougall and husband Kent, Heather Lester and husband Gordon, Amanda Williams and husband Clint and Cameron Hohle; step-grandchildren, Ethney Coleman and Shepard Coleman; great grandchildren, Kaitlin, Shane, Morgan, Jillian and Mackenzie; one brother, Ed Carothers; and numerous nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. Friends are cordially invited to visit with the family at 1:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, the 10th of May, 2005 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 8601 Chimney Rock, with the funeral service scheduled to begin at 2:30 o'clock in the Sanctuary of Pilgrim Lutheran Church with Rev. Allen J. Bauer and Rev.Walt Dube officiating. A private family graveside service will follow at Forest Park Westheimer. Serving as pallbearers will be, Bobby Debowski, John Clark Debowski, Craig Carothers, Eddie Debowski, Jr., Lance Rosborough and Joe Pfau. The Harrisburg Rotary Club will be honorary pallbearers. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 8601 Chimney Rock, Houston, TX 77096.