Silas Walter (S. W.) Carter, age 86, of Shelbyville, Texas went home to be with the Lord on April 5, 2012 following a battle with cancer.
Funeral Services will be at 2:00pm on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at Watson and Son's Funeral Home Chapel in Center. Burial will follow at Carrolltown Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Rob Merriman and Rev. Gordon Vaughn. Visitation will be Friday, April 6, 2012 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Watson and Son's Funeral Home. Pallbearers are John Butts, Buddy Hodge, J. P. Dobbs, George Warren, Larry Warren, and Mac Warren. Honorary Pallbearers are James Powell and the Board of Directors of Deep East Texas Electric Coop: Paul Alexander, John Childs, Ronnie Greer, Mike Lee, George Martin, Jimmie Poplin, Tommy Smith, William A. Speights, and Joe B. Wooten.
S. W. was born on July 10, 1925 at Camp Brittain, Texas that was a part of Pickering Lumber Company. His parents were Smith L. and Della Ballard Carter. He graduated valedictorian from Shelbyville High School, and he attended the University of Houston and earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Business from the University of Texas. He attended Stephen F. Austin where he received his Master's Degree in Education.
During World War II, S. W. served in the Merchant Marines. After the war, he served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army and was a part of the Allied Occupation Forces in Japan.
S. W. is survived by: his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Dorthy L. Roberts Carter, his daughters: Alisa Carter Hibbs, and husband Mike, and Serica Carter Wilkins, and husband Ronnie. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Dan'l Lewis, Chris Wilkins, and wife Holly, Michael Lewis and Julie Wilkins. S. W. was uncle to Missy Martin, and husband Tommy, Keith Tamplin, Mark Campbell, Gay Carter, Kit Carter, Mac Carter, and wife Mavis, and Bob Carter. S. W. is survived by one brother-in-law, Carl T. Campbell. S. W. was preceded in death by his parents, Smith L. and Della Ballard Carter, his sisters, Lamerle Carter, Louise Carter Tamplin, and Joyce Carter Campbell, his brother, Dugie Carter and his brother-in-law, Henry Tamplin.
S. W. loved Shelbyville and Shelby County and was very proud of the place he chose to call home. He was an active member of the Shelbyville First Baptist Church and was a member of the Sam Houston Masonic Lodge #32 in Shelbyville for over 60 years. S.W.'s teaching career began in Brooklyn, Texas and he also taught in Tenaha, Texas. When he had an opportunity to come back to teach in his beloved Shelbyville, he took it. He taught high school history and was the high school principal for a short time before becoming the school's superintendent. He retired from education in 1980 after serving 23 years as the superintendent at Shelbyville and 28 years as an educator. Mr. Carter was also a cattle farmer, timber grower and owned his own real estate business.
S. W. was serving on the Shelby Soil and Water Conservation District Board and the Shelby County Farm Bureau Board of Directors at the time of his death. He was instrumental in establishing the Shelbyville Water System and served on the board. He helped form the Shelbyville Fire Department and was one of the founding members of the Shelby County Historical Society. He served on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank in Center and on the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He served on many other boards over the years including the Shelby County Tax Appraisal District Board, the Shelby County Hospital Board, and the Memorial Hospital Board.
In 1961, S. W. became a member of the Board of Directors for Deep East Electric Coop. He served as Secretary beginning in 1969, Vice President in 1989, and President in 1993. He stepped down as President in 2010. At the time of his death, he had served for over 50 years. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Electric Cooperatives of TEX-LA, ETEC and NTEC. He served as President of TEX-LA for over 11 years.
Please direct memorials to: Shelbyville First Baptist Church or the Carrolltown Cemetery Fund.