William Prentiss Carter

Mr. William Prentiss Carter, 86, of Biloxi, MS, died Sunday, July 26, 2009, following a long illness with Parkinson's Disease. He was born June 2, 1923 in Laurel, MS but lived in Biloxi since 1926, when his family moved back to the Coast. His father taught him the hat trade, and after his father's death, his mother and he carried on the family business. The store, Carter's Hat Shop, was well-known for their customized hats, ranging from cowboy hats to derbies, hombergs, and top hats. Following his retirement from the shop, Prentiss enjoyed helping his elderly aunts and the senior citizens in his neighborhood. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Biloxi and kept records for the Junior Sunday School Department for 50 years. His many interests included fishing, birding, gardening, coin-collecting, and cooking. He always made cakes and cookies for his friends at Christmas. He began fishing long before he began first grade at Lopez. Most recently, he had been catching catfish from a pond in Latimer, from his wheelchair. His cousin, Coach Tommy Hengen, would release the fish back into the pond and also see that the big ones didn't pull Prentiss and his chair into the pond. As a young adult he played baseball in the church league and in later years, he supported the Braves. He liked to travel and especially enjoyed camping in most of our national parks. The last trip he was able to make included visits to the Pacific Northwest and across the border to the Canadian Rockies. He also enjoyed his tours to Great Britain and Europe. While in England, he and his sister were able to spend time in Folkestone where his grandfather spent his childhood. Prentiss was preceded in death by his parents, William R. Carter, Jr. and Velma Carter, and a sister, Velma Fern Carter. He is survived by one sister, Fairie Lyn Carter. His family and friends would like to express their appreciation for the help and care given Prentiss by Rebecca Foto at the Prentiss House in Latimer where he has been staying during the past year. We would also like to express our appreciation for the care provided by the Gulf Coast Hospice and the many health care workers. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 675 Howard Avenue, Biloxi, where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow in Southern Memorial Park.