Professor William Lloyd Carson, PhD, PE age 83 died November 19, 2024 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. William (Bill) was born February 15, 1941 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to parents Roy Lewallen Carson and Wilma Anna Skalsky Carson. He grew up on a family farm in Ely, Iowa. Bill was inducted into the Honor Society his Junior year and graduated 1959 as valedictorian from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On June 9,1963 he married Antoinette (Toni) Mildred Grey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He furthered his education by earning a PhD degree in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from the University of IA. In 1968 Bill and Toni moved to Columbia, Missouri where he accepted a position as Professor at the University of MO and taught for more than 30 years. During those years he presented engineering test results in research papers at conferences in the U.S. as well as in many foreign countries. In 2004 Bill was presented an appreciation award from the ASTM committee on medical surgical materials and devices for his outstanding volunteer efforts setting up laboratories at the University of MO Orthopedic Institute and another in the Veterinary College. In addition, the Biomechanics and Bioengineering lab at the University of MO was named after "Bill & Toni Carson". For the last 3 years, Bill and Toni have awarded two scholarships annually for elementary school teaching students at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Bill loved gardening, fishing and was deeply involved in engineering throughout his life. He enjoyed visiting his daughter's home in Jenks, Oklahoma and son's home in Kansas City. Initially Bill and Toni helped watch young grandchildren, host "Camp Carson", and later attended many of their ball games, swim meets, soccer games & horse shows. Bill's family and friends will always remember him as a quiet, helpful, kind, innovative and industrious person. Through the years Bill and Toni enjoyed traveling and camping across America, including Alaska; plus exploring foreign countries including Canada, England, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Japan.

Married for 61 years, Bill is survived by his wife Antoinette (Toni), daughter Dr. Suzann (Suzie) Antoinette Dunkerley, husband John Kelly Dunkerley, grand-daughter Antoinette Lee Dunkerley, and son William (Butch) Grey Carson, wife Renee Massey Carson, grandchildren Julia Renee Carson and Nicholas Grey Carson. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, older sister Mary Rhae Walston (wife of Professor Sydney Walston of Frankfort, Michigan) and his younger cousin Bob Carson (husband to Sandra Jean Horak of Cedar Rapids, Iowa) who lived with Bill and family for several years in Ely, Iowa.

In agreement with Bill's wishes, cremation has taken place. A "Tribute website" (through Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel) has been created for family and friends to view & electronically contribute to the celebration of life. A private memorial service is scheduled January 19, 2025 for the passing of Professor William L. Carson, PhD, PE ~ cherishing this GREAT family man, teacher & professional leader.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William Lloyd Carson was born at St. Lukes Hospital on February 15, 1941 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Roy Lewallen and Wilma Anna (Skalsky) Carson. Bill grew up on a farm owned by both William H. Skalsky, Bill's grandfather and father Roy. It was perhaps the first time Roy put Bill on his lap as they drove up the farm lane that made such a lasting impression on Bill. He was very young, but the sound and watching the mechanics of the tractor created a lifelong fascination for Bill, particularly with John Deere tractors.
Bill and his sister Mary (Mrs. Sydney Walston now deceased) attended a 2-room country school until 8th grade when they began riding a school bus to Wilson Junior High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While in Junior High Bill participated in church functions and numerous 4-H county and state projects. Following Junior High in 1957, he drove the family car to Jefferson Senior High School in Cedar Rapids where Bill met his future wife, Toni Grey daughter of Chester and Julia Grey of Cedar Rapids. In High School Bill lettered in football and basketball, plus he took part in several school musicals. He was in the Math Club; the Engineers Club; the Drama Club and sang in the High School choir. He was an excellent student and was inducted as a junior, rather than a senior, into the National Honor Society. With his high grade-point, Bill was the valedictorian of his 1959 graduating class. At that time, he was also dating Toni. Following high school graduation Bill enrolled in the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Bill graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with Highest Distinction from the University of IA. Toni stayed in Cedar Rapids teaching at Johnson Elementary School during Bill's 1st undergraduate year at the Univ. of IA. Then in 1963 the 9th day of June, Bill and Toni were married at the Methodist Church on Ellis Blvd in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They then enjoyed a month and a half honeymoon in El Segundo, California where Bill worked on a special design project with Standard Oil of California. During weekdays he worked on the project and on weekends Bill and Toni went sightseeing.
Returning to Iowa City, Bill completed his studies, defended his thesis and graduated in 1968 with his PhD degree in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. Throughout those years Toni taught in the Iowa City public school system. During Bill's time at the University, he became a member and President of Tau Beta Pi (engineering honor society), Pi Tau Sigma (international mechanical engineering honor society), Phi Eta Sigma (national honor society of excellent 1st yr college students), Quadrangle Association (self-governing dormitory assoc.), and Sigma Xi (promoting research in science). Bill also served in the ROTC program.
It was on September 11, 1966 their daughter Suzann Antoinette Carson (Dunkerley) was born. Following graduation Bill accepted a job teaching lab classes for engineering students at the University of Missouri in Columbia. While living in Columbia, Bill presented information from his research papers for his dissertation and for Engineering Conferences around the United States and in many foreign countries. In 1969 Bill and Toni had a son William Grey Carson born on April 11th. Bill defended his thesis that same year and grew a beard to participate in the March engineering students Beard Growing Contest. Bill taught the laboratory classes at the University for 30 plus years which qualified him for early retirement. Bill and Toni received an honorary plaque from MU's Engineering School naming a lab in their honor for the many volunteer hours Bill had spent establishing and developing the "Bill & Toni Carson Biomechanics and Bioengineering laboratory". Through the years Bill and Toni enjoyed traveling and camping across America, including Alaska, and exploring foreign countries including Canada, England, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Japan. During their travels they met doctors interested in the material discussed in Bill's papers. Bill utilized his engineering skills to design and build the family's home in Columbia and small red barn, which served as a kid's playhouse and later became a home for John Deere tractors.
Bill loved gardening, fishing and was deeply involved in engineering throughout his life. He enjoyed visiting his daughter's home in Jenks, Oklahoma and son's home in Kansas City. Bill and Toni helped watch young grandchildren and hosted many annual weeklong "Camp Carson" experiences. They also attended many of their ball games, swim meets, soccer games & horse shows.
Strong supporters of continuous learning, a "Toni and Bill Carson" scholarship was established at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The award has been given each year to "2 students", since 2021, studying in the field of elementary education. Several years after retirement began, Bill offered his volunteer services to help develop testing labs at the University of Missouri, one for the Veterinary College and one for Orthopedics Medicine. He also worked with two medical doctors and a machinist in a company they formed called Izola, which specialized in designing rods for use in individuals with back injuries.
In 2021 Bill was diagnosed with vascular dementia. He and Toni moved to Tulsa, OK at Legend Tulsa Hills on the invitation of their daughter Suzann & son-in-law Kelly. Bill and Toni celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary June, 9th 2024 in Jenks with Kelly, Suzie and granddaughter Antoinette Dunkerley. Age 83 1/2 yrs young, Bill died November 19, 2024 in Tulsa, OK. He is survived by his wife Antoinette (Toni), daughter Dr. Suzann (Suzie) Antoinette Dunkerley, son-in-law John Kelly Dunkerley, grand-daughter Antoinette Lee Dunkerley of Jenks, Oklahoma, and son William (Butch) Grey Carson, wife Renee Massey Carson, grandchildren Julia Renee Carson and Nicholas Grey Carson of Spring Hill, Kansas. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, older sister Mary Rhae Walston (wife of Professor Sydney Walston of Frankfort, Michigan) and his younger cousin Bob Carson (husband to Sandra Jean Horak of Cedar Rapids, Iowa) who lived with Bill and family for several years in Ely, Iowa.
In agreement with Bill's wishes, cremation has taken place. A "Tribute website" (through Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel) has been created for family and friends to view & electronically contribute. Also, a private memorial service is scheduled for January 19, 2025. A public stop-by "Celebration of Life" gathering will follow that same day at Legend Tulsa Hill's activity room 4:30-6:30 (with light refreshments & drinks) honoring & cherishing this great family man, teacher & professional leader ~ Professor William L. Carson, PhD, PE.
Wife: Mrs. Antoinette (Toni) Carson's address is
701 W. 71st Street S.
c/o Legend Hills
Tulsa, OK 74132