Obituaries
CARLSON
William A. "Bill" Carlson
William A. "Bill" Carlson, 83, passed away Monday, January 14, 2013, in his McKinney home, surrounded by loving family.
He was born February 17, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, one of four children. He graduated from Proviso Township High School in 1947 and was drafted into the United States Army.
Bill served as a staff sergeant in Europe during the Korean War. Upon leaving the military he began a successful sales career. He worked at Bell & Howell for 21 years, achieving the role of vice president. During this time, he lived in Chicago, raising a family with his first wife, Shelley Pollenz.
While at Bell & Howell, Bill met the love of his life and future wife Kay Parr. Their 32-year marriage began in 1980 as they opened The Camera Store in Dallas. For the next 20 years, they worked side by side, played golf, traveled and enjoyed their grandchildren until his retirement in 2000.
In retirement, Bill was instrumental in building Kay's successful real estate business. He loved his vintage camera collection, playing golf with the senior men at Eldorado Country Club, doing the daily crossword and taking care of his cats.
Bill is survived by his wife, Kay Carlson of McKinney, Texas; daughters, Kyle Carlson of California, Dana McCloud and husband, John, of Illinois, and Lori Lotz and husband, Allen, of Georgia; sons, Bill Carlson and wife, Carolyn, of Dallas, and David Carlson and partner, Tony Rotolante, of Illinois; stepsons, Joseph Martin, Jeff Martin and wife, Kim, all of McKinney; step-daughter, Sheryl Jeffrey and husband, Will, of McKinney; grandchildren, Chris McCloud of Illinois, Amanda Bloom and Amy Bloom, both of California, Jason Lotz of Indiana, Adam McCloud and wife, Alexis, of Illinois, Jennifer Bloom of California, Katy McCloud of Illinois, Kelly Lotz of California, Ryan McCloud of Illinois, Shelley Bloom of California, Melanie Lotz of Georgia, David Lotz of Indiana, and Laura Carlson, Sarah Carlson, Heather Phillips, Ashley Paul, Alex Martin, Ashley Martin, Virginia Jeffrey and Patrick Jeffrey, all of Texas; seven great-grandchildren; and many other loving family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Christopher Carlson; and siblings.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, January 18, 2013, at First United Methodist Church of McKinney with the Reverend Doug Fox officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Samaritan Inn of McKinney.
He was born February 17, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, one of four children. He graduated from Proviso Township High School in 1947 and was drafted into the United States Army.
Bill served as a staff sergeant in Europe during the Korean War. Upon leaving the military he began a successful sales career. He worked at Bell & Howell for 21 years, achieving the role of vice president. During this time, he lived in Chicago, raising a family with his first wife, Shelley Pollenz.
While at Bell & Howell, Bill met the love of his life and future wife Kay Parr. Their 32-year marriage began in 1980 as they opened The Camera Store in Dallas. For the next 20 years, they worked side by side, played golf, traveled and enjoyed their grandchildren until his retirement in 2000.
In retirement, Bill was instrumental in building Kay's successful real estate business. He loved his vintage camera collection, playing golf with the senior men at Eldorado Country Club, doing the daily crossword and taking care of his cats.
Bill is survived by his wife, Kay Carlson of McKinney, Texas; daughters, Kyle Carlson of California, Dana McCloud and husband, John, of Illinois, and Lori Lotz and husband, Allen, of Georgia; sons, Bill Carlson and wife, Carolyn, of Dallas, and David Carlson and partner, Tony Rotolante, of Illinois; stepsons, Joseph Martin, Jeff Martin and wife, Kim, all of McKinney; step-daughter, Sheryl Jeffrey and husband, Will, of McKinney; grandchildren, Chris McCloud of Illinois, Amanda Bloom and Amy Bloom, both of California, Jason Lotz of Indiana, Adam McCloud and wife, Alexis, of Illinois, Jennifer Bloom of California, Katy McCloud of Illinois, Kelly Lotz of California, Ryan McCloud of Illinois, Shelley Bloom of California, Melanie Lotz of Georgia, David Lotz of Indiana, and Laura Carlson, Sarah Carlson, Heather Phillips, Ashley Paul, Alex Martin, Ashley Martin, Virginia Jeffrey and Patrick Jeffrey, all of Texas; seven great-grandchildren; and many other loving family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Christopher Carlson; and siblings.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, January 18, 2013, at First United Methodist Church of McKinney with the Reverend Doug Fox officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Samaritan Inn of McKinney.
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