William G Carr

William Gardner Carr, 95, peacefully passed away at home on April 20, 2026.

Bill is survived by his daughter Cathy, son Paul, daughter-in-law Nancy, grandchildren Nathan and Megan, and sister-in-law Paula Graham.

Bill was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Plant City, where a memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 10 am. A reception at the church will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Food Bank and Services of Plant City.

Bill was born on November 18, 1930 in Charleston, SC to Milton Cookingham Carr and Mary Ethel Gardner. A few years into the Great Depression era, the family moved to Union, SC.

Bill gets his love of gardening from his mom Ethel, who loved roses and could grow anything. Starting from a young age, Bill cultivated plants from clippings in her garden. Later in what would become a life-long passion of plants, Bill propagated plants from all over the US and kept for decades a 1-acre garden in his backyard.

In the early 1940s when Bill was in high school, he met his future wife Elisa at a school dance. Elisa had a love for music and dance. Bill was initially too shy to ask Elisa out, but when he finally did, he started a relationship with the love of his life which lasted for over 60 years.

Bill and Elisa continued dating through college, while he was at Clemson University – then a military academy. Upon graduation, they married in 1953 and Bill entered the US Army as a Lieutenant. After 2 years of military service, Bill started working for the food packaging company Hunt Wesson in Savannah, GA. He held plant management roles around the country, often taking on big projects and successfully improving struggling facilities using the planning and leadership skills he gained from the Army.

In 1960 and 1963 Bill and Elisa started a family by adopting their daughter Cathy and son Paul. And in 1971, the family settled in Lakeland, FL when he took on leading Plant Industries in Plant City, FL. Bill and Elisa started to raise their family and settle into the local community. When Bill wasn’t at work or with family, he gardened and turned his suburban backyard into a mini Cypress Gardens.

Bill and his family were active members of St. David’s Episcopal Church. During those years, they joined in the church’s musical productions, including Flower Drum Song, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music, where Bill took on the role of Baron von Trapp.

Bill had a knack for spotting potential, and took the risk to purchase Plant Industries and transformed it into Crystals International. With his vision and Elisa’s gift for sales, Crystals International grew into the world’s leading freeze-dried food company, producing everything from orange juice for the military to bar mixes for major restaurant chains, and even some of the best key lime pie around.

After more than 25 years, he and Elisa decided it was time to retire. He turned his attention to his award winning garden and long-awaited travel plans. Together Bill and Elisa set out to travel the country, sometimes months at a time. They travelled North America coast to coast in their RV and saw mountains, deserts, and beaches in every season.

Around 2010, Bill and Elisa became rooted once again in Plant City, beginning a new chapter in their lives where caring for each other and their community took center stage. They felt deeply blessed and gave generously to their church, neighborhood, and garden communities. They loved hosting friends and family, and every year they practically bought out the local supply of stone crab claws for their gatherings.

In 2018, Elisa passed away, leaving Bill heartbroken. Yet God blessed him with remarkable health and a steady routine that brought him comfort. Bill became known for his morning newsletter text, sending updates with world news and family happenings. He also took enjoyment in the plants and animals outside of his house, particularly liking the lizards darting through the bromeliads and offering plant giveaways to local Facebook groups. He kept his house full of people, ending many days hosting dinners for family and friends. Even in his final days, Bill took comfort in the home he lived in since the 1980s, much thanks to the love and support he received from the Plant City and Lakeland community. Bill’s family has so much gratitude to all of you who cared for him so faithfully.

Bill and Elisa often reflected on how blessed they felt and were amazed at the journey God laid out for them starting in South Carolina and ending in Florida. Bill missed Elisa deeply and spoke often of the joy and laughter she brought into his life. Today, it brings Bill’s family members comfort to imagine them together again – Elisa dancing and singing, and Bill tending his garden in Heaven.