Obit: Carroll, William James (? - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Carroll, Fasbender, Francis, Ravenscroft, Squires, Stanford, Weber, Yohnk

----Source: The Cornell Courier-Sentinel (Cornell, WI) 6/02/2017

Carroll, William “Bill” James (? - 29 MAY 2017)

William “Bill” James Carroll, Holcombe, departed this earth Monday, May 29, 2017, at the Cornell Area Care Center.

Bill was born in Holcombe, and moved to Cornell as a young child, completing K-12 grades and graduating May 29, 1959.

After graduation, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy, beginning an extremely successful 27-year career in service to his country.

Beginning his Navy career in Great Lakes, Ill.; Bill served in overseas assignments in Newfoundland, Iceland, Antarctica and Spain. He was also stationed stateside in Florida, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Chanute AFB, Illinois.

Following his Navy career, Bill continued using his knowledge, skills and experience in meteorology to serve the upper Midwest in the National Weather Service for over 18 years.
He started as a contractor in Salem, Ill., and moved up through the ranks from Neenah, International Falls, Minn., Twin Cities, Minn., and finally in Duluth, Minn.

Bill became a widower in 2004, but was fortunate to reconnect with a high school sweetheart, Carol Ann, through social media while planning a high school reunion.

Bill commuted from Duluth to Holcombe (155 miles one way) while courting, and he and Carol were married July 13, 2005.

He retired from NWS Duluth in March 2006. Once Bill retired, he moved back to Holcombe and became a very important part of The Big Minnow, doing many jobs.

He also became a regular cribbage fixture at Carol’s Big Minnow Bar and Grill. He and Carol’s brother, Neil, played over 8,000 games in the last five years and kept the records for all of them.
He enjoyed the country life, watching “the Pack” and “Brew Crew,” gardening, family and friends.

Bill is sadly missed by everyone. May he rest in peace.

He is survived by his wife – Carol Ann (Yohnk), Holcombe; five children – Denise (Chuck) Carroll, Virginia, Duane (Connie) Carroll, Virginia, Dawn Stanford, Texas, Darlene (Chris) Francis, Texas, and Derek (Reihanna) Carroll, Texas; and three stepdaughters – Michele (Tony) Fasbender, Dooper (Rick) Weber, Holcombe, and Melanie (Chuck) Ravenscroft, Cornell.
With more than a dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the Carroll family branches spread far and wide, as he is also survived by three brothers and one sister.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years – Barbara Anne Francis (Squires), Newfoundland.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank relatives and friends, near and far, for their friendships, visits, flowers and cards. They helped us all to get through a very difficult time.

Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell is assisting the family.