Carl Ernest Killian

1938 - 2025

Carl Ernest Killian
February 23, 2025
Carl Ernest Killian of Woodbridge, VA, loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, was called home on February 23, 2025, at age 86.
Carl was born on March 22,1938 to Charles and Hedwig Killian in Bridgeport, CT, the youngest of five children in a family of strong German traditions and Lutheran faith. In 1956, Carl became a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and graduated from Bassick High School, where he played basketball. He was the first in his family to attend college, earning a degree in chemistry in 1960 from the University of Connecticut.
In 1964, he married his lifelong partner and friend, Ruth Ann Killian (nee Gilbert), with whom he raised Jeffrey, Thomas, and Susan. He was an avid bridge player, enjoyed bowling and softball in the church league, family camping trips, and coaching his children's sports teams. Always looking for ways to help, he served in many roles at Holy Cross, for the Trumbull Pisces Swim Team, and on the Board of Directors of the Trumbull Little League. Working with his hands brought him great satisfaction, and he kept busy building new stone walls and additions to the family home.
Carl had a long career as a chemist, primarily for DuPont on developmental projects that included composites for automotive applications and materials for the Apollo space program. Work took him and his family to Maryland in 1987 where he embraced new friendships, boating and crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay, and joined Bethel Lutheran Church in North East, MD. In 2016, he and Ruth moved to Woodbridge, VA to be closer to family. He loved traveling and watching his grandchildren compete and perform and was grateful for the supportive community at Grace Lutheran Church.
Carl drew strength and comfort from his unwavering faith, reflected in Romans 8:37-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
All who knew Carl remember him as a beacon of kindness, and an example of living life for others. Through our grief, we also find joy celebrating a full life and knowing that Carl is at peace with his Lord. He will always be missed and never forgotten.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert C. Killian; and sisters Ruth K. Foster, Shirley K. Wallin, and Arlene K. Burgess. Carl is survived by his wife Ruth; sons Jeffrey (Amy) Killian of Springfield, VA and Thomas (Leigh) Killian of Houston, TX, daughter Susan (Jeff) Winkle of Burke, VA, and five grandchildren, Ethan, Brian, Alexa, Luke, and Caitlin.
The family will receive friends at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 14143 Dale Blvd., Dale City, VA 22193, 4pm to 7pm on Sunday, March 9th. On Monday, March 10th, a funeral service will be held at 11:30 am at Grace Lutheran Church, 1601 Prince William Pkwy, Woodbridge, VA 22191. Carl will be interred at National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico at 2:30 pm.
An additional celebration of life will take place at Bethel Lutheran Church, 24 Cameron Road North East, MD, on March 29th at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church at www.glcvirginia.org/give.