William Gettys Carter

William Gettys Carter passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Central, SC, at the age of 95. Born in Greenville, SC, he was the second child of John Roe Carter and Alice Gettys Carter Murray. He was predeceased by his parents, his elder brother John Roe Carter Jr., and his grandson John Henry Gautsch.

Mr. Carter graduated from Greenville High School in 1947 and Clemson College in 1951, after which he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Regular Army. He proudly served for twenty-four years in Branch Armor, retiring in 1975 with the rank of Colonel. In 1955, he married Elizabeth (Betty) Strong Harris Carter. He is survived by his three daughters, Beth Carter (Bob) Gautsch, Ellen Carter (Brian) Hughes, Joanne Carter (Patrick) Fitzgerald, and grandchildren, Lydia Grace Hughes, Gretchen Carter Hughes (Turner) Zsupnik, and William Edward Gautsch.

Following his retirement from the US Army, Mr. Carter returned to Clemson University, where he earned a Master’s degree in Industrial Education. He later taught Prevocational Education at Seneca High School for seven years. In his leisure time, Mr. Carter enjoyed fishing, designing and flying radio-controlled model airplanes, and building and flying a single-seat ultralight aircraft.

Mr. Carter's wife Betty and their three daughters, along with their husbands and grandchildren, were central to his life. He considered himself incredibly fortunate to have shared his life with them. To honor his military service, the family requests that donations be made to Upstate Warriors Solutions in memory of William Gettys Carter.

Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Church, with interment in the St. Paul’s churchyard, located at 328 East Queen Street, Pendleton, SC 29670, on Friday, July 11 at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 193 Old Greenville Highway, Clemson, SC 29631.