Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mr. William P. Carson of Beckley, WV entered eternal rest on Monday, January 9, 2023 at the age of 55.

William Powell “Big Will” Carson was born on May 19, 1967 to the late William “Bro” Carson and Aurelia “Raya” McDowell Carson.

Will received his early formal education in the Raleigh County School system. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1986, where he was a member of the football and basketball teams. After graduation he attended West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, WV to pursue a degree in Business Administration. While there he continued his athletic career as a member of the Golden Bears basketball team. However, due to his mother’s declining health, he left school and returned home to help take care of her along with his life-long companion Lisa, which they faithfully did until her death in August of 2010.

Determined to complete his educational goals, Will continued his studies at the College of West Virginia where he received the following degrees; Associates of Science in Business Administration, Associates of Art in Secondary Teaching, Associates of Science in Business Administration (Management), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and lastly a Master’s of Science Degree in Social Work.

Will attended Welcome Baptist Church where he was baptized and became a member. He demonstrated the love of God and community by working tirelessly with the young men in the neighborhood, serving as the AAU basketball coach beginning in 1999. He could be found at any time on the playground court not just playing but talking with the boys encouraging them about the importance of education and keeping their grades right and to practice their skills hard in order that they could showcase the talent that Beckley (particularly East Park) had to offer. He also worked to mentor youth in his capacity as Program Coordinator at Davis Stuart Inc. and Burlington.

Will loved his family more than anything in this world and Lisa and his kids were the loves of his life. He always made sure that they came first. He was a sports fanatic “Go Steelers” and ALL the tv’s stayed on Sports Center or ESPN. His last months were filled joy being able to work along- side his sons in the oil field. Those were some the happiest days of his life.

In addition to his parents, Will was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William “Billy” and Frances ”Maw-maw” Carson; maternal grandparents, Dewey McDowell and Amy Phillips; siblings Antonio Gore and Javon Carson; aunts and uncles Carolyn, Robert (McDowell); Steve, Phil, Randy (Carson) and Roger Jones

Left to forever cherish his memory is the love of his life for 37 years, Lisa Walton; his children, Mario Walton of Beckley, WV, Isaiah Walton “Dukum” of NC, Brenton and Breland Walton ”Boobie” of Beckley, WV, Ashton, Shantara, and Le’Asia; mother-in-law, Gloria Walton; grandchildren, Jaylon, Lyric, Brooklynn, Jaidyn, Laraina, Miana, Aleigha, Achilles, Jaxxon, Isaac, Khari, Kayden, Kylie, DJ, and Haela; siblings/cousins, Amy (Jerry), Aurelia (Kip), Alex (Rayna), Brandon, Dominic, and William Singleton; aunts/uncles, Eunice Jones, Patricia McDowell, Dewey Phillips, Stephanie Carson, Bruce (Nina) Carson, Mary Frances (Moses) Hubert, Linda (Walter) Robinson and Nancy Carson; nieces/nephews, Romira, Briana, Rommie, Rashonda, Ebony, Rynikka, Jahden, Bryson, Gabriellah, Keigan, Liam, and Kolten; special cousins, Tanya, Marco, Michelle, Shenelle, Mark, Michael, JR, Dereck, Darrell; brother/sisters-in-laws, Roy (Linda), Lena, Robert (Janet), Nate (Tammy), Missy (Rob), Veronica, Julianna, Gloria, Diana, Paul and Michael; special friends, Johnny “B-Good” Gavin, Matt Gavin, John Barringer, and Robert “Lil’ Robert” Anderson, special family friend, Oakie Hendricks and a multitude of other family and friends too numerous to name who ALL loved Will.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 S. Kanawha St. Beckley with Bishop Eunice Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view and visit with the family one hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley