Billy Doyle Carter, 92, passed this life on June 13, 2026 in Osage Beach, Missouri. Billy and wife, Shirley had lived nearly 40 years at Lake of the Ozarks and previously in the Green City/Milan area.
Billy was born September 11, 1933 to Doyle H. and Vida (Embree) Carter in Trenton, Missouri. On December 25 ,1955 he married Shirley Rae (Shaw) Carter and remained for 67 years, until she passed in 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant twins Michael James and Patrick Doyle Carter.
Billy is survived by 3 children, William B. (Rhonda) Carter of Lake Ozark, Missouri, Dr. Gina Carter of Camdenton, Missouri and Bryan (Danna) Carter of Pinehurst, North Carolina.. Surviving Brother Bernard (Gayla) Carter of Kansas City, Missouri.
“Pop” was blessed with 5 grandchildren: Isaac Cowgill, Millicent Cowgill, Brennen Carter, Nicholas (Michelle) Carter and Jessica Patterson. Six great grandchildren: Breyton, Liam, Kennedy, Olivia, Owen and Judith Rae Carter, and several nieces and nephews.
Billy grew up in Milan, Missouri and was an all-sport athlete for Milan High School. He was a graduate of the class of 1951 and then attended Kirksville State Teachers College (Truman State), where he excelled at Football and was Red Wade’s Quarterback for the Bulldogs. Upon Graduation and marriage to Shirley in 1955, Billy was commissioned into the Marine Corps as a Field Artillery officer serving in 5th Division in Japan. During his deployment, he also played football for the Marine Corps. Billy continued his love for football, coaching at Milan, Marshall and returning to Kirksville as a Graduate Assistant for his Master’s Degree in Education at Truman. Billy also worked for Standard Oil and later became the Regional Director for The National Council on the Aging.
In 1970, Billy and Shirley moved to the farm, south of Green City, Missouri and operated Billy Carters’ Steak and Stuff for many years. In 1984, he worked in Jefferson City for the Missouri Department of Corrections, then retired to the Lake of the Ozarks in 1987.
Billy was active in community service as a Shriner, founding member of the Milan Jaycees, and founding member of the Marine Corps League at Lake of the Ozarks. He remained actively involved in football, officiating for many years.
Bill Carter never met a stranger and had a way of making everyone feel like a friend. He loved entertaining and took great pride in creating a welcoming atmosphere at both the restaurant and the farm.
A service for Billy and Shirley will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home in Green City, Missouri. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Southwest of Green City. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Milan Community Center in Milan, Missouri.
Billy Doyle Carter & Shirley Rae Carter
1933 -2026 1935- 2022
Billy Carter passed away June 13, 2026 at Osage Beach, Missouri at the age of 92.He was born September 11, 1933 to Doyle H. and Vida (Embree) Carter.
He grew up in Milan, Missouri and was an all-sport athlete for Milan High School and a graduate of the class of 1951. He then attended Kirksville State Teachers College (Truman State), where he excelled at football and was Red Wade’s Quarterback for the Bulldogs. Upon graduation, Billy was commissioned into the Marine Corps as a Field Artillery officer serving in 5th Marine Division in Japan. Billy continued his love for football, coaching at Milan, Marshall and than returning to Kirksville as a Graduate Assistant for his master’s degree at Truman. Billy worked for Standard Oil, Missouri Department of Aging, and Missouri Department of Corrections. Billy and Shirley farmed south of Green City and operated Billy Carter’s Steak and Stuff for many years. In 1987 Billy retired and they moved to Lake of the Ozarks. He was a Shriner, a member of the Milan Jaycees and Marine Corps League and a football official. Billy knew everyone, and always provided his advice because he knew you needed it.
Shirley was born December 25, 1935 to James P. and Loraine (Spray) Shaw and passed away August 29, 2022. She grew up in Kirksville, Missouri where she graduated from Kirksville High School and then attended Missouri State Teachers College (Truman College). She married Billy on December 25, 1955 and moved to the Chicago area while he was serving in the military, there she was employed with Helene Curtis for several years before moving back to the Milan area. Shirley worked in several positions throughout to include the ASC office, Milan Standard, Sullivan County Memorial Hospital and was Deputy Clerk of Sullivan County. In 1987 after moving to Lake of the Ozarks, Shirley worked for her daughter’s private practice until her retirement in 2002.
Shirley was known for her kindness to everyone and was a great inspiration to all.
Her and Billy enjoyed spending time with family/friends and entertaining.
Billy and Shirley are survived by 3 children, William B.(Rhonda)Carter of Lake Ozark, Missouri, Dr. Gina Carter, Camdenton, Missouri and Bryan (Danna) Carter of Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Surviving Brother of Billy, is Bernard (Gayla) Carter of Kansas City and sister of Shirley, Mona Longshore of Camdenton and sister -in-law, Kathy Shaw of Elk Grove, Illinois.
“Popi” and “Nana” was blessed with 5 grandchildren, Isaac Cowgill, Millicent Cowgill, Brennen Carter, Nicholas (Michelle ) Carter and Jessica Patterson. Six great grandchildren Breyton, Liam, Kennedy, Oliva, Owen and Judith Rae Carter, and several nieces and nephews.
A service for Billy and Shirley Carter will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home in Green City, Missouri. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Southwest of Green City. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Milan Community Center in Milan, Missouri.