William Luther Carpenter

William ("Bill") Luther Carpenter,77, loving Husband, Father and Friend, was called to his eternal resting place on November 9, 2018. He was born July 5, 1941 in Albuquerque, NM, to Charles and Beryl Carpenter. Bill lived a life centered on his faith in the Lord, his family and his many lasting friendships. His love of life was evident in everything he did. Bill’s insurance business allowed him to offer peace of mind to his many clients. Most were his friends and, as Bill saw them all, an extension of his family. Whether at Carpenter family gatherings, attending Lobo games (wife Joan’s passion which Bill came to share), on the golf course or at lunch, Bill always had a smile, a chuckle, a positive attitude about everything and anything, which endeared him to all. Bill loved people. Through his business, his church, the Rotary Club, serving the homeless at The Rock at Noonday and anywhere else he chanced to meet someone, each encounter was an expression of Bill’s sunny disposition and outlook. His health was a challenge and Bill had a number of brushes with mortality but came out on the other side just as positive about life as he could be. Each time he would say, "Well, I guess the Lord decided it wasn’t my time yet", and his friends called him Lazarus II. Now that the Lord has decided it is his time, Bill will be remembered warmly by all who knew him here on earth. During his younger years Bill loved to play baseball, and to sing and play the guitar. He ventured north to Alaska to follow the rivers and trails of the old gold rush. And somewhere along the line, Bill became a pretty fair country western dancer. Bill worked in his dad’s hardwood flooring business, where he learned he really did not like hard, dirty work. He also worked in office settings where he soon learned that he was not destined to succeed behind a desk. Then Bill discovered the art of selling small group health and life insurance and found his calling. Carpenter Insurance was successful because Bill believed in what he was doing for his clients, his friends, whose interests he always put first before his own. And he was always smiling. Bill is survived by his loving wife Joan Briggs Carpenter, daughters Camille and Caroline; daughter Shelley and her husband Burt Goodman and their daughter Maggie; and son Kevin Carpenter and his children Drake and Kaylin and their mother Sondra; and Joan’s son Michael Briggs and his children, Riley and Ella, and their mother Paige; and her son Robert D. Briggs II and wife Susan, and their children Kristina, Bobby, Matthew and Kathryn, all of San Diego, CA. Also surviving Bill are his cherished family members: sister Cheryl and husband Dick Carpenter, and nephews Bobby Carpenter, and Scott Carpenter and his wife Nan and family; sister Janice and her husband Marvin Clinger, and nieces Darla Sanchez and husband Phillip and family, Kandy Tyson and her husband Ron and family, and Jessie Browning and her husband Derek and family; and sister Claudia and her husband Tom Padilla, and their son Dean Rimer and wife Jennifer. Bill also is survived by sister-in-law Ruth Carpenter and sister--in-law Genie Carpenter and nephews, Christopher Carpenter and wife Emily, and nieces, Kelly Carpenter, Deanna Rodolph and husband Greg, and family. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Beryl Carpenter, and by his brothers Dick Carpenter of Albuquerque, NM and John Carpenter of Parker, CO, as well as his second wife Georgie. A celebration and remembrance of Bill’s life will be held on Monday, November 19, 2018, at 11:00 a.m at Sagebrush Church, 6440 Coors Blvd. NW, Albuquerque. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made in Bill’s name to The Rock at Noonday Homeless Shelter, 2400 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, where Bill and Joan served. A guestbook for Bill can be viewed and signed at: www.frenchfunerals.com ~Bill, We love you now, and always will.

FRENCH – Westside

9300 Golf Course Rd NW

505-897-0300