William Carter Lester Sr.

William (“Bill”) Carter Lester died on May 5, 2014 from injuries suffered in a fall.  He was 90 years old.  Bill’s life was characterized by his warmth and kindness, his faithful love for his family, and his desire to serve his church, community, and country.  He retired as a corporate officer of General Electric Company. A native of Little York, Indiana, Bill was a graduate of Purdue University in 1943 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  He served as a First Lieutenant in Field Artillery in the European theater in World War II.  Following the war, he began his career with General Electric Company, the only company he worked for in his 41-year career.  He retired from GE as Vice President for Regional Relations in both Cleveland, Ohio and Atlanta. Bill was always active in his church, serving as Chairman of the Administrative Board in churches in Richmond, Charlotte, and Atlanta, and he has served his present church, Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, in many capacities right up to the present.  He also served in several leadership posts for the North Georgia Annual Conference of the Methodist church.  He was a lifelong adult Sunday school teacher.  He was a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club and Capital City Club and served on several nonprofit boards in Charlotte, Cleveland, and Atlanta, including his present residence, Canterbury Court.  Bill loved golf, gardening, reading, traveling with his wife, and watching Duke and ACC basketball, having recently attended his 50th ACC basketball tournament. He is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Anne Carter Alexander Lester of Milan, Tennessee, two children Rev. Dr. W. Carter Lester, Jr. (Rev. Karen Pidcock-Lester) of Pottstown, PA, and Mrs. Anne Lester Barge (Rev. Kelly Barge) of Atlanta, and seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Rev. Bill Britt officiating.  A reception will follow.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.