William Carver

McCLURE, Ill. -- William J. Carver, 65, of McClure died Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 13, 1945, in Long Beach, Calif., to Melvin Ross and Ruth Maxine Fry Carver.

After moving from California at the age of 16, he lived with his father and loving stepmother, Rita Mae Carver.

He and Elizabeth Kay Livesay were married Aug. 12, 1967, in Las Vegas.

Carver served in the U.S. Navy where he was a Seabee construction electrician in the Vietnam War.

He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 3838, Marine Corps League, Vietnow, American Legion Post 63 and Joint Veterans Council. Along with his comrades of the Vietnow they led the way in the construction and dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial located at the Common Pleas Courthouse in downtown Cape Girardeau.

He was very involved in the planning and overseeing of the 4th of July celebration held at Arena Park and all other events held by veterans.

Carver was instrumental in the development of the Toys for Tots program at Southeast Missouri State University, where he worked as an operating engineer at the power plant for 19 1/2 years.

He was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Carver of McClure; two sons, James (Tonia Sissom) Carver of Jackson, Mike (Amee) Carver of Cape Girardeau; four grandsons, Andrew, Austin, Alan and Noah Carver; stepmother, Rita M. Carver of East Cape Girardeau, Ill.; a brother, Mark (Lisa) Carver of Cape Girardeau; four sisters, Cathy Carver of California, Cindy Drew of Everett, Wash., Debbie Baltzell of Springfield, Mo., and Crystal Harsey of DuQuoin, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery in McClure, with full military honors by VFW Post 3838 and Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Cottonwood Treatment Center in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.