BILLY DOYLE CARTER
Billy Doyle Carter, 93 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.
He 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 celebration honoring the lives of Billy and Shirley Carter will be held at a later date, with details to be announced. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home in Milan, Missouri
