Pastor William L. Carter

Pastor William Lee Carter, eldest son of the late Fatres L. and Anna R. Carter, was born April 12, 1949, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. He peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord on January 21, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service and an unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the 1950’s his parents, William and his younger brother Larry migrated north to Wilmington, Delaware. Upon arriving in Delaware, the family joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church. However, at the conception of the Mount Sinai Baptist Church the Carter family moved their membership there. He accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior early in life. His love for Christ was evident in his devotion and service to the church. As a young teen William spent his Saturday afternoons assisting the late Deacon Johnnie Wilson in cleaning the church in preparation for weekly worship services. He was active in Sunday School, Bible Study, Junior & Senior Ushers, Vacation Bible School, Youth & Adult Singing Units, and in any way he could find to edify the church and glorify God.

In February of 1970, William was united in holy matrimony to his high school sweetheart, Darlene and from this union they had two daughters. He was the proud grandfather of two and great grandfather of seven.

Having served as a deacon of Mount Sinai Baptist Church for fifteen years, in 1990, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Albert L. Walker, he answered God’s call into the ministry.

Pastor Carter was educated in the Wilmington Public School District, graduating from P. S. Du Pont High School in 1968. He was later inducted into the United States Army, serving in the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge from military service, he briefly attended Delaware Technical and Community College and then found employment with Delaware Hospital, currently CCHS, Electric Rubber and Hose, NVF and finally DART Bus where he retired after over forty years of service.

In November of 1996, the Lord led Rev. Carter to the Harrison Memorial Baptist Church and on the first Sunday of 1997, he and his wife became members. July 1997, he was ordained under the pastorate of the late Rev. Louis Morris. In May of 1998 having successfully completed his studies, he graduated from Manna Bible Institute. The late Rev. Morris prayed and knew it was all a part of God’s plan and on March 23, 2003; Rev. Carter was installed as Pastor of the Harrison Memorial Baptist Church. He proved to be a true and faithful servant of God, dedicated, obedient, trustworthy, and was always right there whenever called upon.

On Saturday mornings you could often find Rev. Carter and his wife at the Cracker Barrel. He loved family time, Invicta watches, Stacy Adams shoes and his Eagles! However, the love Rev. Carter had for his Harrison Memorial Church family was unconditional.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fatres and Anna Carter as well as his brother, Larry J. Carter. He is survived by his loving wife, Darlene Johnson Carter, his devoted daughters, Troy R. Davis (Deacon Lamont Davis) of Wilmington and Kelly R. Carter (Kadetta Hayes) of Daytona Beach, Florida; granddaughters Rian S. Cutiva (Emylio) and Monique S. Carter (Shaka Roberson); great grandchildren: Jerimiah, Sahara, Amiri, Gabriel, Marcel, Cristiano, and Selah; sister in law, Carol Conkey, brother in law, Eric Johnson, many cousins including Carolyn Carter, Donald, Stewart and Edward Benn; one nephew Larry Ponzo; nieces Joelle and Erica Johnson; childhood friends Mike Seagars, Dale Smith, and Hilliard Lee; the Harrison Memorial Baptist Church Family, other loving friends and devoted family members. Much can be said of Pastor William L. Carter particularly he loved the Lord, the church and his family.

Lovely Submitted,

The Family