William Luke "Bill" Carver

1938 - 2025

On a beautiful fall day in the mountains of WNC that he loved, William ""Bill"" Luke Carver went to be with his parents and his Heavenly Father on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.
Bill was a local business owner, author and storyteller.
He was the son of the late Bea and Luke Carver. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa ""Terri"" Carver, and sister, Jane Carver Castevens. 
Bill was a 1956 graduate of Andrews High School. After graduation, he served in the United States Air Force, where he met and married the love of his life, Jane Marshall.
When they returned to the Smoky Mountains he loved, Bill worked for the N.C. Prison Department, a grading and pulpwood harvester, real estate developer, federal contractor, salesman and housing professional. He sold, constructed, moved and facilitated the housing needs for many families from West Texas, East Tennessee, the mountains of Northeast Georgia, Upstate South Carolina and WNC, all places that were near and dear to his heart.
Bill was a noted author and storyteller. His series of books, called Branch Water Tales, sold thousands of copies to locals and tourists enjoying meeting them at festivals and events across the southeast. The third book in the series was noted in the ""Summer Book to Read"" column by the Asheville Citizen Times. Bill expanded his writing with historical fiction on topics of interest.
Bill leaves behind a close family including Jane Carver, his wife of 67 years; a daughter, Virginia Haynes (Dwain) of Hendersonville, Tom Carver (Kathy) of Weaverville and Alan Carver (Mistie) of Hendersonville; grandchildren, Willliam Haynes (Noriko), Luke Haynes, Hank Haynes, Jack Carver (Taylor), Lillie Carver, Maddie Carver and Avery Carver; step grandsons, Curtis Forester (Terri) and Nathan Randall; great-grandchildren, Liam Haynes, Hanna Haynes and Ann Haynes. He is also survived by his sister, Shirley Carver Miller (late Zell Miller), and a huge number of nieces and nephews and their children.
Throughout his life, Bill loved his family and made many friends who he cherished as family. He never met a stranger and never judged the actions of others. Bill was socially and politically conscious of helping those who were in need. Bill never met a child he didn't try to engage. Mostly through old timey hand slaps and gestures or if they were lucky, he challenged them to a thumb wrestling competition. This became a ""rite of passage"" for the grandchildren and others he met. One of his nicknames was ""the Big Kid.""     
A Celebration of Life was held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Andrews First Baptist Church with Pastors Marlon Blaylock and Warren Carlisle officiating. Interment was in Valleytown Cemetery with military honors provided by Hayesville VFW Post 6812, Hayesville American Legion Post 532 and Murphy American Legion Post 96. Pallbearers were grandson and nephews, Murphy Miller, Matt Miller, Frank Purser, Charles Purser, and special family friend, Rocky Hood.
The family received friends from 1:30-2:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of William ""Bill"" Luke Carver to Charles George VA Hospital, Attention: Volunteers Hospice, Vickie Eatmon, 1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28801; or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews, was in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at iviefuneralhome.com.