Wilbur Carroll Jr.

Wilbur Mack Carroll, Jr. 73, of Hudson, FL, departed this earth to be with his heavenly Father on Sunday, August 29, 2021.

Wilbur was raised in a rural farm community in Bladen County, NC, where summers were filled working tobacco fields and roaming the dirt roads and back woods of Center Road Community. He graduated from Bladenboro High School with the Class of 1965.

Wilbur enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1965, graduated basic training at Parris Island, SC and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC where he was assigned to the 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion at Courthouse Bay, learning and training in the art of amphibious warfare.  He received transfer orders to Vietnam where he spent 11 months with the 1st Battalion A Company 1st Platoon operating a LVTP5-A1 amtrac in the northernmost region of South Vietnam known as “I” Corps.  “Will”, along with other members of the 1st Platoon, were frequently engaged by hostile enemy fire. During his Vietnam tour, he was promoted to Sgt. and ultimately became Crew Chief.  After returning to the states, Sgt. Wilbur M. Carroll was looked upon to help train, motivate and encourage other young Marines, leading by example. Following his honorable discharge in 1969, Wilbur served an additional two years in the Marine Corps Reserves. He earned the following decorations while bravely serving with honor and distinction:  Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal W/2* and Viet Nam Campaign Medal W/60. Our family will always be proud of Wilbur’s courage and valiant service to our nation.  Semper Fi.

After the military, Wilbur chose a career in the energy and power management industry, working for Port Hudson Paper Mill in Zachary, LA; Alabama River Pulp in Monroeville, AL;  Cogentrix Energy in various locations throughout NC and VA; and finally as CEO at ReUse in Kennesaw, GA.

Wilbur also completed a Master’s Degree in Christian Counseling, and used his training to support at-risk youth in and around Gorham, ME. His passion was in serving his Lord faithfully, through church-sponsored opportunities and independent outreach programs and ministries.  He served the church as a Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Leader and Youth Leader, and ministered at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, ME.  He served as an Upward Basketball Coach alongside his wife Phyllis; together they traveled to Portugal in support of that program.  Wilbur loved to find creative ways to share the Plan of Salvation by our Lord Jesus through personal testimony, using Bible tracts and various other physical media like the EvangeCube.

He recently trained his newest family member, Hildi the German Shephard, as a certified service dog by the K9 Partners for Patriots.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Mack Carroll, Sr.

Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Phyllis Clark Carroll of Hudson, FL; daughters Stephanie Howard and husband Patrick of Mt. Olive, NC and Kristy Soto and husband Sandy of Marietta, GA along with their mother, Wanda Dowless of Bladenboro, NC; stepson Carey Flaherty and wife Karen of NY, NY and four grandsons Zachary Hall, Will Flaherty, Colin Flaherty and Artie Soto.

He is also survived by his mother, Christine Doris Pait Carroll of Bladenboro, NC; one sister, Angela Howard and husband Ron of Charlotte NC; two brothers, Barry M. Carroll and wife Kay of Bladenboro, NC and Roger Carroll and wife Jennifer of Bladenboro, NC; along with numerous beloved nieces, nephews, aunts and friends.

A funeral service will be held at Center Road Baptist Church, 2484 Center Road, Bladenboro, NC 28320 at 5:00pm Friday, September 10 and is open to those who are comfortable following social-distancing and mask-mandates. A military graveside service will follow.  Anyone wishing to remain in their car during the funeral service can tune into 88.3 FM radio. The service will also stream live via FB at www.centerroad.org.  The Reverend Adam Self officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to K9 Partners for Patriots (www.k9partnersforpatriots.com) or your favorite charity.