Willard Carpenter

Willard Lee Carpenter died Christmas Day with family members surrounding and comforting him. Will was born November 15, 1924, to Della and Albert Carpenter, Saint Paul, and grew up in the city's Midway area near Newell Park. His family was the light of Will's life. Devoted to his wife and children, he focused his energy on being involved in activities with them. When his sons were teens and became interested in motorcycles, Will purchased a motorcycle for himself and took his sons and their friends on a trip to the Black Hills. Will was extremely proud of his WWII service in the U.S. Navy as a radio man on the U.S.S. Thomas Jefferson. As a recipient of the Bronze Star and other medals, he was the fifth person to walk onto Japan at the war's end. He also went into Okinawa with the U.S. Marine landing. He was kind, gentle, soft spoken, and brilliant. He enjoyed rocking his grandchildren and, as they grew, helping them with projects. He spent many hours at the gun range for target practice, deer hunting, and taking care of his cars. He loved hunting on his parents-in-law's farm, camping, canoeing, and traveling to national parks. With his engineering mind, he could repair anything and everything. Before Will retired, he was the office manager and accountant for the American Lung Association in Minnesota. Prior to that he was a union agent for Teamsters Local 149. He is survived by daughter, Susan Banovetz (Peter); and sons, Michael and Barry (Mary); grandchildren, Lisa Karney; Erin Lake; Nicholas Banovetz; Tracy Carpenter; and Kelly Carpenter. He has four great grandchildren, Xavier Lowell; Elise and Jackson Lake; and Lumi Banovetz. Also surviving him is his nephew, Ronald Carpenter. His wife, Vi Fischer Carpenter; grandson, Joseph Carpenter; parents, Della and Albert; and brother, Virgil, preceded him in death. A funeral service for Will is being held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 7, at Bradshaw Funeral & Cremation Services, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear Lake, MN. The visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Please direct memorials to Disabled American Veterans.