A soldier survived the jungles of Vietnam only to be brought down on the streets of Roy.

William LeRoy Carter was born on July 10, 1949, in Bakersfield, California, to William and Dulcie Carter. The Carter family also consisted of sons Ronald, Donald, Gary, Thomas, Gerry and daughters Leta Fay, Cora Wyonia, Sondra and Pamela. At a very early age the family moved to the Pajaro Valley where they settled and where William attended local schools.

In 1966 William Carter joined the US Army and after receiving basic and advanced individual training, was sent to Vietnam. His unit has not been identified; however, upon completing his tour in January 1967, he rotated back to Fort Lewis, Washington.

William Carter was killed when he was struck by a car at Roy, Washington, near Ft. Lewis, on February 16, 1969. His body was returned to Watsonville where full military honors were conducted over his gravesite in the Pajaro Valley Memorial Park.

(WRP February 19, 1968; Find a Grave. Com William Carter, http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=8248&GRid=23148128&)