William Edgar Carpenter

Bill Carpenter passed away on June 21, 2018. He was 91. After a fall and breaking his upper arm, a series of health issues overcame his body and kept him hospitalized. Surrounded by his loving family, he peacefully left us and reached out into the waiting arms of our Heavenly Father.

Bill was born September 11, 1926 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania to parents Floella (Argenbright) and Howard Carpenter. He lost his father at the young age of 11, in a car accident. He lived in Chicago until 1940, then moved to California with his mother and younger brother, Bob. Bill graduated from Van Nuys High School where he played football. He served in the US Navy joining just before his 18th birthday. His duties included radar operator, deckhand, and storekeeper aboard the USS Tappahannock, a fleet oiler, fueling warships in the Pacific during WWII. After serving his country, Bill attended Santa Barbara State College and the University of Arizona.

In 1949 he met the love of his life, Mary Ann Wycoff. They were soon married. They had three daughters Marilyn, Karen, and Janet, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

From 1949 to 1960 Bill was employed by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. In 1953 he became a detective working in the suppression of gang activity, in 1955 he was promoted to Detective Sargent, soon after transferred to Headquarters Detective Bureau - Robbery Squad. In 1958 Bill suffered a life-threating gunshot wound. After being off work for six months, he returned to limited duty. He was subsequently given a disability retirement.

In early 1962 the family moved to Ventura County. Bill soon became very active again working a variety of job, including Vons Security Manager, Insurance Salesman, Aerospace Security Agent, and finally began working for the State of California as a Special Investigator in 1964. He continued his career with the State retiring as a Senior Investigator after a 28-year career in law enforcement.

Bill remained active in retirement, the last few years at a slightly slower pace. He enjoying family, friends, reading, golf, sports, crossword puzzles, poker, music, the ocean, beautiful scenery, and finding a bargain. He kept his keen mind well informed. Bill stayed abreast of all that was going on around him and in the world. He was civic-minded and enjoyed working for the benefit of all. Bill got great pleasure in helping others. He was upbeat, positive, kindhearted, loyal, smart, honest, generous, grateful, helpful, protective, a humble man who loved his country. During his later years he opened up his emotional side to share. Bill was truly one of a kind, a remarkable man who was admired, appreciated, and loved, by many.

Bill leaves behind his loving wife, of 68 years, Mary Ann and daughters, Marilyn Reeder, Karen Carpenter, and Janet Fontaine (Daniel). Also, surviving him are grandchildren, Michelle Carpenter, Melissa Reeder, Nicole Longwill (Daniel), Kimberly Martinez (Michael), and Jonathan Reeder, Great-grandchildren Zackary Hansen, Ashley Martinez, Chloe Martinez, Garrett Longwill, Avalon Longwill, and Evelyn Reeder, brother Robert Carpenter and nieces Randa Schmalfeld (Gary) and Daphne Cilliers (Christiaan) and their children.

A memorial service to honor Bill’s life will be held on August 5, 2018, at 1:30 pm, in the Charles Carroll Chapel. Services will be officiated by Pastor Matthew Hoyt, of Orchard Church. Following the service please join us at Poinsettia Pavillion and continue sharing in your memories of Bill. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of choice, or one of his favorites the Salvation Army. Extend a hand and a smile in his honor.