William 'Bill' Franklin Carpenter

William 'Bill' Franklin Carpenter was born September 21, 1942 to W. E. (Bob) and Ferne R. (Mandelkow) Carpenter in Spencer, Iowa. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1962. Bill spent the summers with his parents at their cottage on West Lake Okoboji, immersing himself in swimming, boating, fishing, and competitive sailing with his classmate and longtime friend Steve Petersen. Following high school graduation, Bill played basketball at the University of South Dakota. In 1964 he entered the Navy and served honorably until 1968. Upon his discharge he returned to Spencer and joined his father in the operation of K & D Bootery Shoe Store. On November 30, 1968, he married Linda Sue Beck. Bill's life revolved around sports. In high school he played basketball, football and ran track. Bill remained athletically active into his mid-50's, bowling in a weekly men's league, playing slow-pitch softball on church and recreational teams as a pitcher, and playing men's basketball, both in YMCA league and on the K & D Bootery team that traveled to tournaments and also to colleges playing against J.V. teams. In 1972 he and friend Bob Schall started the Northwest Iowa Men's Basketball Tournament. 2015 will mark the 43rd year of this tournament, and will continue in Bill's honor. Bill and Linda's son Aaron was born on July 27, 1972. Some of Bill's fondest memories were the years he coached Aaron and his grade school buddies' traveling basketball team: the 'Run & Gun'. Many fond memories and friendships grew as a result of the weekends that parents spent following their sons to various games. The highlight of every year was the weekend spent in Sioux Falls at the Tri-State Basketball tournament, which drew hundreds of teams and gave the boys an opportunity to play outstanding competition. Bill and Linda love cheering Aaron & his classmates on at their high school football and basketball games. In 1999 and 2001 respectively, Bill's two grandsons, Kade and Grant, were born. The boys have been a delight to Bill as he watched them mature into young men and into ball players. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and brother Robert. Bill leaves behind Aaron (Jamie), their sons Kade and Grant; nephews Robert J. and Christopher; niece Roberta; and a list of friends truly too numerous to name. Bill was a loyal friend, loved every breath of life, and was truly appreciative of favors done. He will be sorely missed. MORE ABOUT BILL: He was a gifted athlete and gracefully coordinated, even at 6' 4' and 200 pounds. He held the SHS single-game scoring record for many years at 40 points. Because of the trouncing the Tigers were giving their opponents, the coach took him out at half-time & he played none of the second half. He also held Spencer's career scoring for over 30 years. According to his classmates, they distinguished him as the best athlete in his class, lettering in football, basketball, and track every year of high school, breaking into the basketball starting line-up his sophomore year, and earning all-state honors in football and basketball his junior and senior years. From his first football huddle as a youngster to the very end, Bill was positive in his outlook, exhorting the will of the team, a friend, or himself. Throughout his life, Bill was loyal to his team, the Iowa Hawkeyes. He attended many games with his Hawkeye friends and missed few on television. In 1987, Bill purchased the K & D from his father and continued to operate it until 1993. At that time it became apparent his dear mother needed constant care and attention. Bill saw to it that she could live the remainder of her life at home and lovingly handled much of the care-giving himself. Like his many friends, Bill loved rock and roll music, and was usually found at the teenage dances at the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park. Even through last summer, he enjoyed spending time with friends listening & dancing to rock & roll at Arnolds Park. Boat cruises with Bill were always fun, full of music and laughter that was his unmistakable trademark. 'Let's spin some oldies' was the battle cry to lower all boats! In the Navy, Bill served aboard aircraft tenders including the USS Pine Island, where he was exposed to Agent Orange during ammunition transfers in Cam Ranh Bay, Viet Nam. Bill always had the COOLEST cars, including but certainly not limited to: black and white Pontiac GTO convertible; purple Dodge Challenger; at least 13 Corvettes over the years, including a beautiful bronze Vet that his then 16-year old son TOTALED!!!

SERVICES

OFFICIATING

CASKET BEARERS

VISITATION

MUSIC

INTERMENT