St. George Knight of Columbus receives Lifetime Membership Award shortly before his death

Courtesy photo/Gary Stolz

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Bill Carroll receives the Knights of Columbus Lifetime Membership Award from brother Knights Jean Bourque, Dave Arndt, Lou Holdener, Rod Rising, Gary Stolz, Roger Soukup and Fr. Glenn Dare, Vic Giasson Council #10733 Chaplain in St. George, on April 12, following Mass at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins.

By Gary Stolz

Special to the Intermountain Catholic 

ST. George — Bill Carroll, a Navy veteran who saw duty in the Pacific during WWII was presented with the Knights of Columbus Honorary Life Membership award on April 12. He had been a Knight for 66 years; he was 94.

The award is given to Knights 70 years of age or older who have been members of the Order for 25 consecutive years, and to those who have been members of the order for 50 consecutive years regardless of age.  Honorary Life members are exempt from further payment of dues, per capita charges and assessments.

The award was presented by Father Glenn, a retired military chaplain and U.S. Air Force veteran who serves as the Knights of Columbus Vic Giasson Council #10733 (St. George) chaplain. Fr. Dare also substitutes for the St. George Parish priests when called upon.

Attending the award presentation were fellow brother Knights from his Council: Jean Bourque, Dave Arndt, Lou Holdener, Rod Rising, Gary Stolz and Roger Soukup.

Bill Carroll enlisted in the U.S. Navy after WWII started and was sent to the Pacific area of operations. In February 1945 his ship was involved in the battle for Iwo Jima. Bill said that he and other seamen, while just offshore during that epic battle, saw Old Glory flying over Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima, the photo of which was later made famous across the United States.

After leaving the Navy after WWII, Bill returned to his native Wyoming and began a teaching career spanning more than 40 years in Wyoming and Iowa. He retired as a school superintendent.  

A long-time resident of St. George and St. George parishioner, Bill attended daily Mass and was very active in the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Color Corps until physical limitations made it impossible. He also volunteered countless hours in the parish, teaching CCD, ushering at the 9 a.m. Mass and preparing shoes for resale at the parish thrift store.  

Three days after the Honorary Life Membership Award was presented, Bill had a serious fall and broke his hip, and his health deteriorated. He passed to his eternal reward on April 27. A funeral Mass will be celebrated May 9 at 11 a.m. at St. George Catholic Church, 259 West 200 North, St. George.

Gary Stolz is a member of Knights of Columbus Vic Giasson Council #10733 and a St. George parishioner.