Billy Carter

Kerrville, TX - Master Sergeant, Billy Edward (Eddie) Carter, 88 of Ingram, TX passed away Saturday, August 15, 2015 at a local hospital in Kerrville, TX.

Billy was born in Kingston, OK on the 16th of October, 1926 the son of Thomas Clyde and Maud Prater Carter. He was the youngest son of 4 sons and 7 daughters. All of his family has preceded him in death.

His father was a farmer and a mail carrier for many years and served on the Kingston School Board for 32 years. Billy's wife, Mary Anne O'Leary is from Washington, D.C. and is the daughter of John Joseph and Margaret Keliher O'Leary. Her father was the Assistant District Attorney for Washington, D.C. for many years.

Master Sergeant Carter enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in February, 1944. He served throughout the Pacific, including the Marshall Islands, Guam and Okinawa. He served aboard the USS Wasp which entered the Philippines at Layte Gulf Operation. He entered Japan at the end of WWII and assisted in the recovery of U.S. POW's from the infamous Prison Camp Omauro. He was discharged in June, 1946 as a Corporal.

Billy enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in February, 1948 and served as an Air Operations Specialist at many U.S. air bases, Thule, Greenland, The Korean Conflict and Germany where he supervised the Air Transport Operation for Europe.

Billy retired at Carswell AFB, in Ft. Worth, TX in July, 1968 after 24 years of active duty. He then became an Air Force Junior ROTC Instructor at Arlington Sam Houston High School for 5 years and Zweibrucken American High School Germany, a Department of Defense School for 19 years. He had many successes and was very proud of his cadets.

His awards include The Pacific Campaign with One Battle Star, the Korean Conflict with One Battle Star, three Commendation Medals, Good Conduct Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Longevity Ribbon with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters and many more.

Billy was an avid baseball fan and had visited most Major League parks. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. He and his wife, Mary Anne were very adventurous and traveled most of Europe and visited all 50 states. They collected many souvenirs from all over the world.

Those left to honor and cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Mary Anne, their daughters, Wanda C. Wirbs, Karen S. Furry and her husband, Randall and their son, Rodney J. and wife, Natalie. Scott Wirbs, son of Wanda and his wife, Tonya and their 9 children, many nieces and nephews and former Cadets and students.

His remains will be entombed in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. at a later date. Memorials may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements were under the personal supervision of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home, Kerrville, TX. (830) 895-5111.

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