William Roger Carpenter was born on October 26, 1941 to Forlenner Hairston Carpenter and Lillian Bethea Carpenter in Winston-Salem, NC.  He was better known as "RAT" to his family and friends.  "RAT" was called home on September 1, 2022.

He attended Carver High School, Class of 1962, and Forsyth Technical Community College.  He was self-employed most of his life.  He was a member of Union Chapel Baptist Church.

"RAT" has a love for animals, especially German Shepard and Doberman Pincher dogs and ponies. He and his wife traveled all over the southeast, participating in events with the ponies.  He was a member of the American Hackney Pony Association.  He also had an affinity for cars, especially Mercedes.

"RAT" was preceded in death by his parents, Forlenner and Lillian Carpenter; his grandmother, Mamie Bethea; and three brothers, Shepherd Lee, Benjamin Franklin, and Lester Eugene Carpenter.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Martha Davis Carpenter of the home; one sister, Sarah Carpenter Hicks of Winston-Salem, NC; three brothers, Prewlow (Marie) Carpenter of Winston- Salem, NC, Alvin B. (Mae Kathryn) Carpenter of Sicklerville, NJ, and Robert (Elsie) Carpenter of Newark, NJ; a host of nieces and nephews who loved him dearly that he always had at his home to enjoy and sometimes ride the ponies; other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Thursday, September 8, 2022 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.  The family visitation will be held from 11:30am until 12noon on Thursday at the Chapel.