William O'Neil Carter

William O’Neil ‘Arky’ Carter, 83, of Center Township, passed away Sunday afternoon, October 30, 2016, at Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley Beaver.Born December 11, 1932, in Conway, AR, he was a son of the late Charles Lee and Stella May (Hurst) Carter. While proudly serving in the US Army in Germany during the Korean Conflict, Bill’s friend told him about a girl back home.  Bill and Nancy Reese communicated with letters and photos for 18 months before his discharge.  The day after he arrived home, Bill asked for Nancy’s hand in marriage and two and a half months later, on November 7, 1953, Nancy became his bride.  They lived in Monaca for 13 years before moving to Center Township, where they raised their family for the next 50 years.Bill was employed with St. Joe Minerals Corporation for 28 years, where he received the nickname ‘Arky’ because he was from Arkansas.  Following his employment with St. Joe, Bill worked for Applied Concepts in Cranberry Township, Beaver Valley Transit Authority and later as a school crossing guard in Center Township.  He was a member of the Raccoon Township League of the Beaver County Horseshoe Pitchers Association.  Bill was inducted into the county horseshoe hall of fame and was the top pitcher in the state championship and participated in the world horseshoe competition in Ohio.  His Raccoon Township League won the county Tuesday Night Doubles Championship a few years ago.  A member of the Monaca Turners Pool League, he also bowled with St. Joe Men’s League.  His hobbies included fishing, gardening and bird feeding, but most of all, he cherished life.In addition to his wife of almost 63 years, Nancy, Bill leaves three children, Bruce (Georgean Rose) Carter of Hookstown, Brian (Lisa) Carter of Center Township and Michelle Infantozzi (Kirby Hohenstel) of Industry and his beloved only granddaughter, Mara Infantozzi, the apple of his eye who called him ‘Pap-Pap’ and was the love of his life.  He is also survived by two half-brothers, Fred and John Carter, both of Green Bay, WI; a brother-in-law, Edwin (Jean) Reese of Shawnee, OK; sister-in-law, Trudy Reese in California; and nieces, Carol, Alexis and Amanda and nephews, Ryan and Mario, and will be missed by many.Along with his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a brother, Nathan Carter, a son-in-law, Michael Infantozzi and a brother-in-law, SFC Charles C. Reese, Jr.Friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where funeral services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. with the Beaver County Special Unit providing military honors.The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Good Samaritan Hospice for their care and kindness during Bill’s stay.To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.