William R. Carson - 81
8/5/1926 - 7/21/2008

Des Moines, Iowa - Mr. Carson was born in Des Moines, Iowa on August 5, 1926 to William Francis and Claudia (Lane) Carson. He went home to the Lord on July 21, 2008. He was a veteran, serving our country in 1945-46 as a Sgt. Medical Technician in the Army. He received the Bronze Battle Star, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award, and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan. Upon his discharge he went on to graduate from Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and their treasurer.



On June 23, 1951 he married the love of his life, Janice Sue Anderson in Des Moines, Iowa at the Union Park Methodist Church. Mr. Carson was employed by Crum & Forster Insurance Companies first in Des Moines, IA, then transferring to the Freeport, IL office, then to St. Louis, MO, out to the New York City office, and then several locations in NJ until his retirement in 1990 as the Assistant Vice President of Commercial Underwriting. He had earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation in the 1970’s. Bill and Janice relocated one more time in 1997 to DeKalb, IL to be nearer to family.



Mr. Carson had a funny side, a quick wit, a kind caring heart, a brilliant mind, a love of life and animals not easily matched. He was a patient, gracious, loving husband and father to wife Janice, daughter Melissa Anne Carson (Aurora, IL), grandchildren Joelle (Koon) Osterhaus (Andrew), Iowa City, IA, Jackleen Melissa Koon, Aurora, IL, great-grandson Dylan Nicholas Petschow, Aidan Michael Flanagan, and son William Randolph Carson (Lisa), grandchildren Ryan William Carson and Tyler Douglas Carson, one brother, James Robert Carson (Mary Joyce) of West Cliffe, CO, and a brother-in-law, Warren (Bus) Kingman Anderson of Richmond, VA. He has nieces and nephews in CA, CO, TX, IA, KS, VA and NH.



Throughout the years Bill and Janice always had pets, most usually a dog. He bonded instantly with each of his furry friends, and they were inseparable. He was a Life Master Bridge player, earning his certificate in 2004 from the American Contract Bridge League. He played duplicate bridge in DeKalb and St Charles for many years. He enjoyed learning, and reading was a favorite pastime, especially on the subject of history. He developed an interest in genealogy and for several years researched his lineage and created a written story of his family’s history back to the original ancestors from Austria.



He is preceded in death by his parents, half siblings (Francis) Collins Carson, Mary Clare (Carson) Mayer, her daughter Carol Anne Mayer, (John) Jack Urban Carson, and brother Thomas Lane Carson.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First United Methodist Church, 321 Oak Street, DeKalb, IL 60115 in his memory.

Visitation will be at the First United Methodist Church, 321 Oak Street, DeKalb, IL on Thursday July 24th from 10:00AM to 11:30AM, with a memorial service at 11:30am. A luncheon will follow at the church directly following the service. Please do join us as we celebrate his wonderful life. To send an online condolence visit: www.ronanmoorefinch.com. Arrangements were entrusted to: Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 (815)758-3841.

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