William Edward Carll

William Edward Carll, of Tionesta, born February 26, 1938 died at home on December 23, 2025, surrounded by family and always by his side, his chocolate lab, “Chica girl”.

Bill was the son of the late Ellsworth and Ethel Carll of Tionesta. He graduated from West Forest School in 1958, joining the United States Army directly after. Private First Class, William was a tank mechanic and honorably discharged, March 31, 1963.

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Shaffer on July 12, 1958. His children meant the world to him. Carla (Mark) Woodside of Tionesta, Karen (Mark Ziga) Carll of Acme, Lynette (Brian) Greathouse of Tionesta, Wm. Dean (Kimberly) Carll of Leeper and Douglas (Amy) Carll of Tionesta. His legacy includes 15 grandchildren; Kyle Woodside, Nikki Lara, Adam Greathouse, Ryan Greathouse, Krista Gilbert, Jessica Cleveland, Paige Grippo, Amanda Swanson, Allison Carll, Gabrielle Carll, Rachel Ross, Ethan Carll and Alexa Carll. Bill was blessed with 30 great-grandchildren who affectionately called him Pappy Bill.

He is survived by sisters-in-law, Eileen Flick of Emlenton and Sonja Hawkins of Franklin, as well as half-siblings, Albirta Poole, Becky Austin, Karen Ryder, and Jim Crawford. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty years, Bonnie Carll; granddaughter, Sara Renee Carll and grandson, Derek Carll Hileman; his in-laws, Glenn and Violet Shafer; brother in-law, Craig Shaffer and his wife Sandra Shaffer; brother in-law, William Hawkins, and half brothers, John Burk and Dan Crawford.

Bill worked a number of years at the National Forge, later became co-owner of the family dairy farm with his brother in-law, Craig Shaffer, and following the tornado of 1985 that destroyed the farm he began his own construction company, “William Carll and Sons” and later adding “The Other Half” to the business that traveled across PA, NY and MI setting modular homes.  

Anyone who knew Bill, knew that his passion was hunting and fishing and anything involving the outdoors. In his retirement years, he loved to play softball in the 55+ league in Oil City, was an avid horseshoe player in Knox and in New Castle, even traveling long distances to compete in State and National Tournaments. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren playing sports over the years, even continuing to attend sporting events of his great-grandchildren for as long as his health had allowed.

He always had a smile and had a wonderful sense of humor to share with friends and family.

Bill and his wife, Bonnie, were blessed in retirement to serve the Lord as missionaries in Wounded Knee, South Dakota; Chetumal, Mexico; New Orleans, Louisiana after hurricane Katrina and Bacalar Mexico. They were then commissioned as special assignment missionaries by the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana and were stationed in Kisumu Kenya where together they served for a 15 month period. They enjoyed traveling and had many adventures in the U.S. and abroad. To those of us he left behind, his memory will live in our hearts forever and we are better people for having him in our lives.

The family would like to thank the Clarion/Forest VNA hospice nurses and volunteers, as well as the caregivers for the wonderful care and love he received from them. Honoring Bill’s wishes there will be a private service for family only. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Clarion/Forest VNA, Hospice, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion, PA 16214.

    Arrangements are under the direction of the Faller/Rupert Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fryburg.

     Online condolences may be sent to Bill’s family at www.fallerfuneralhomes.com