William David Carson

William David Carson, Jr. (Bill) died on February 12, 2026, in Oxford, North Carolina. Bill was born December 5, 1938, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana, to William David Carson and Almeda (Converse) Carson.

In Muncie, Bill attended Stevenson Elementary School, Blaine Junior High School, and Muncie Central High School, graduating in 1956. He earned a degree in Engineering Sciences from Purdue University in 1960 and a master’s degree in Engineering in 1961.

In June of 1961, Bill married Judith Von Rosen. Together they established their family in Huntsville, Alabama, where Bill worked at IBM writing software for the Apollo Space Program, which in 1969 landed men on the moon.

IBM moved the family to Gaithersburg, Maryland in 1977 where Bill assumed the role of Vice President of IBM’s Federal Aviation Systems Division. In that role, he led several important teams and operations, including the early establishment of GPS systems in flight control towers around the globe.

After retiring from IBM, Bill and Judy moved to Little Switzerland, North Carolina, where they resided for the next 32 years. After a couple productive years as an accomplished weaver, Bill, Judy and Bill's sister, Kit Trubey, restored and reestablished the historic Orchard at Altapass on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Orchard remained Bill’s passion for the rest of his life. Over the span of 30 years, he served as executive director and chief storyteller, hayride leader, and mountain clogger.

Active in many facets of the Little Switzerland and Spruce Pine communities, Bill was especially supportive of local artists, musicians, and craftspeople. He was a Rotarian, played in the local bridge club where he achieved Life Master status, and was instrumental in raising funds to establish the Little Switzerland Fire Station.

Bill was especially proud of receiving the 2019 Esse Quam Videri Award, a prestigious state honor named for North Carolina’s official state motto meaning “to be, rather than to seem,” recognizing his significant contributions to community life and tourism in the state.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Judy, and his daughter, Karen Kardos. He is survived by his daughter, Jill De Witt Hamer; son-in law, Ken de Witt Hamer; four granddaughters, Erzebet and Katalin Kardos and Grace and Frances De Witt Hamer; and his five siblings: Kit (Carson) Trubey of Raleigh, North Carolina; Chuck Carson of Durango, Colorado; Bob Carson of Middletown, Indiana; Carolyn (Carson) Lelek of Valparaiso, Indiana; and Mike Carson of West Lafayette, Indiana.

Bill passed peacefully at the Tre’ More Retirement Center with his daughter Jill by his side. He was 87.

A celebration of Bill’s life and accomplishments will be held at the Orchard at Altapass on August 8, 2026. Please visit www.altapassorchard.org for details.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the Altapass Foundation, the nonprofit organization supporting The Orchard at Altapass: www.altapassorchard.org/donate.