Martin Bill Carroll Obituary (1940

If you knew Bill Carroll, you liked him. And chances are very good that he made your life better, easier, more vibrant, and asked for nothing or very little in return. And so with tremendous sadness, we find our world diminished with the recent passing of Martin Bill Carroll, who passed away at home on Friday, August 20, 2021. From very frugal and humble beginnings, Bill applied hope, determination, ingenuity, optimism, and a great deal of hard work to the very soil to which he now returns, cultivating a few initial acres into a successful and fulfilling life as a farmer - a life he loved and shared with genuine selflessness, good nature and humor. In his younger life he served in the National Guard. He was also an enthusiastic contributor to 4H, FFA, the Saunemin school board, and served as president of the Board of Trustees of the Saunemin Fire Department. In Bonita Springs he counted himself as one of the youngest members of the IBE Bubble Club. For the past two decades, he was a dedicated board member of the Central States Threshermen's Reunion. His wonder and goodness will be missed by his many friends and family - his wife Sharon, his children Glenn, Diana, Katrina and Sara and their families, including his 5 grandchildren. Bill was born the 7th of 8 children to Alta and "Ted" Carroll. Of his seven siblings, he was preceded in death by his brothers Tom and Bob. Surviving are his loving siblings, Marian, Kit, Jim, John "Butch", and Connie, as well as in-laws and dozens of nieces and nephews. Bill was most comfortable in the fields or in his toolshed, and least comfortable in the spotlight, taking much satisfaction from helping others and deferring credit for his many efforts and contributions. Which is why he would be embarrassed to know that we will gather to pay tribute to him and celebrate his life and legacy at the Threshermen's Park at 5 PM on Monday, August 30. Anyone who knew or appreciated Bill is encouraged and invited to join us for a meal, a drink, or simply to share memories of a good, kind, and quietly extraordinary man. Bill Carroll loved his life and his work and the simple things: a job well done, a problem solved, a fair deal, a successful harvest, a good piece of fruit, another good piece of fruit, restoring antique tractors, and most of all giving more than we take. Donations in his memory may be made to The Central States Threshermen's Reunion or to Futures Unlimited, Inc.