Bill C. Carroll

Age 83, passed away on July 30, 2013. It's been quite a journey. Starting with core beliefs and values. Bill never knew a stranger. Perhaps it was the fact that he was raised by a single dad in difficult circumstances. Throughout life he knew the importance of lending an unjudgmental helping hand to others down on their luck. He never forgot the humble hardworking roots of his upbringing. They greatly influenced the conservative fiscal & social values that guided him throughout life. A true champion of his family, Bill could be counted upon to provide both moral & financial support. Whatever was needed to rectify or improve upon any situation Bill could be counted on. With but a degree from Albuquerque High, class of 1949, and penchant for hard work, Bill achieved a degree of success in what can only be described as "beyond his wildest dreams". Upon the un-timely death of his father Shorty Carroll in 1949 with nothing more than pickup truck, his tools and confidence in himself he founded Bill C. Carroll Co. and began a lifelong but ever evolving career in the family trade of lath and plastering. Initially he plied the back roads of New Mexico with only the intent of providing for his young & growing family in Albuquerque: 300 houses in early '50s Carlsbad. Rural schools, private and municipal facilities throughout the state. Bill pursued success wherever opportunity led. Ultimately the pickup was replaced by a cherished King Air aircraft. The site applied lath and plaster jobs replaced with prefabricated wall panels constructed in controlled manufacturing environment of his own vision and design. Some of the buildings upon which Bill provided the exterior cladding are easily recognizable. The Marriott Uptown, a 12 story high-rise immediately across the street, the 1000 bed VA Hospital at Kirtland Air Force Base. The list is extensive. Self-taught financial skills enabled Bill to achieve success in many and varied arenas. An early investor in Sandia Savings & Loan Bill became a member of the board of directors of Sandia's holding company New Mexico Financial Corporation. Bill was a lifelong active supporter of the lath and plasters trade group The Association of Wall & Ceiling Contractors International or AWCI, eventually rising to become president in 1969. In 1987 Bill Carroll was honored to receive the "Lifetime of Achievement, Pinnacle Award" The associations highest honor at its annual convention in Washington D.C. Many of Bills closest friends were also members of AWCI often with their common bond of having achieved success thru much hard work and determination. Together they enjoyed world travel to association sponsored events around the world. Visiting such far flung destinations as China where they were the first civilian group to enter the country after the revolution & decades of isolation under communist leadership, Egypt and South Africa held a special place in his travel heart for both the culture & people he met. Bill was extremely proud of his construction industry accomplishments. To meet his need for building materials in contracting operations he founded CBMCO. Carroll Building Materials a need driven business that initially sold lath, plaster, drywall and roofing materials to commercial building contractors. In time this business evolved to become Red Barn Lumber with four home center operations in New Mexico and Colorado. With an uncanny ability to see the future of the industry, or perhaps dumb luck which Bill would never discount, the business operations of Red Barn were sold in 1995. Top of the market as the intrusion of Lowes and Home Depot in smaller local markets would be the demise of the family owned and operated lumber yard. Throughout his life Bill enjoyed sports. Initially as a member of Albuquerque High's baseball & football teams. Baseball one of Bills true passion & a sport in which he excelled. He was offered a major league contract with The Boston Red Sox. Bill never lost his love of fishing. Initially his constant friend and companion was father-in-law Chuck Badgett and a battered, no doubt aluminum boat. Together they fished the rivers and streams of New Mexico with the occasional expedition to Guymas, Mexico. As a testament to his success, numerous time worn photographs bear witness to Bills love of all things fishing including the pursuit of billfish in Hawaii. His love of fishing evolved with his business successes. He was most proud of the many fishing trips to Alaska he was able to share with family. Perhaps the ultimate trip in Bills mind was one taken to Ketchican, AK many years ago in his King Air. This was well before the arrival of the cruise ship industry that diminished much of the Alaskan charm of chartering a boat and sharing the lore of locals who's fishing skills were honed from a lifetime of fishing the open waters, arms and inlets of Alaska. His love of golf was a life-long passion. He joined The Albuquerque Country Club in 1958 and was an active member serving on the board of directors and numerous committees. It seems like Bill always had a boat. The last, with countless numbers in the middle, was a custom built 60 footer that after initial duty in San Diego "El Milagro", the miracle, ultimately resided in Annacortes, WA. The San Juan Islands were the perfect scenic backdrop for the many family adventures that are still evidenced today in photos and videos that will only grow in importance as we collectively realize that with Bills passing we have lost not only a friend and father but someone whose love, wisdom, and guidance are irreplaceable. We're gonna miss him greatly. As a visionary in so many realms, Bill never had a renters mentality and this trend started early. He built his first family home on a lot adjoining that of his in-laws in the south valley. Five points really. In quick succession he purchased land in an industrial section of downtown Albuquerque that over the years evolved as a base of operations for his many business ventures. When it came to investment decisions, Bill was always hands on preferring the tangible to stock certificates. His realization of the " benefit of the bargain" when it presented itself allowed him to react even as markets ebbed and flowed. A foreclosed and abandoned 60,000 sq.ft. office complex was renovated and became "The Courtyards @ Cutler", and is now evolving into the retail heart of Albuquerque @ I40 & San Mateo. A well located, but failed, GMC dealership in Farmington bought in foreclosure became the heart of "Red Barn Lumber" home center operations in New Mexico. The list could go on but the key to these success stories was Bills keen ability to use each facility to grow an existing business or the establishment of a new one. Bill personified the word entrepreneur. It is impossible to estimate the number of jobs created thru Bills vision and tolerance of risk. A true champion of his family in good times and bad Bill was always there to provide all the support, both moral and financial. Whatever was needed to rectify or improve upon a difficult situation, Bill could be counted upon. Bill was the undisputed and respected patriarch of the much extended Carroll family. Having married his high school sweetheart & wife of 65 years Charlotte, he has been fortunate active participant in fostering the success of both his children, grandchildren and extended family members. Their wildly divergent careers include artist, lawyer, chef, architect and rainmaker for the ongoing family business Carroll Ventures Inc. Bill was preceded in death by his father Will " Shorty " Carroll and mother Ruth Wells Carroll. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Charlotte M. Carroll; Son Billy C. Carroll; Daughter Carolyn Carroll Mason & husband G. Stanton Mason; Grandson Scott B. Mason, all of Albuquerque; and grandson Charles Mason of Durango, CO. By far Bill would claim his wife and family were his greatest achievements. He was fortunate in later years to have the wonderful caring help and friendship of Allison Moore who made it possible for him to achieve his desire to live out his life in his own home. Godspeed Bill were gonna miss you! A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at First Spanish Fruit Avenue Baptist Church, 812 Fruit Ave. NW. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924, Menaul Blvd. NE. Please visit our online guest book for Bill at .