William "Bill" Carawan of Ayer

William F. Carawan, 79, of Ayer passed away on Tuesday morning, March 18 at the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Littleton. He was born in Florence, South Carolina, a son of Clarence Poe, “C.P.” Carawan of North Carolina and Dolores (Brooker) of Georgia. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Shelley (Elizabeth Humphrey) of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; his daughter Chris and husband John of Lunenburg; daughter Cathy and partner Mark of Norwood; daughter Laura and husband David of Dedham; and his son Ryan of Quincy; twin brother Bobby and his wife Geri of Camden, South Carolina. He also leaves behind grandchildren Sam, Katie and Max; also, nieces and nephews and their families, Kim, Chet, Jennifer, JoJo, Caspian, Chloe and Jax. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother David and sister Gloria. He spent forty years in South Carolina and is remembered as having many an adventure with his twin brother Bobby and meeting and marrying Shelley. In November 1986, he moved his own family from Camden, South Carolina to Boston, Massachusetts. He worked at the First Church of Christ, Scientist for nearly forty years as a host and security personnel. Bill and his son Ryan got their GEDs together while living in Framingham. The family would like to thank his friends and co-workers for visiting him at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital in Worcester and Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Littleton. They also express their gratitude to the nurses, doctors, therapy staff and all aides who were involved with his care at both facilities and also at UMass Memorial Hospital in Leominster. Bill had a lot of interests and likes and loves along the way including all things nature and long walks with a special fondness for Walden Pond, animals and his own pets Fussy, Jennifer, Sydney and Matilda, writing and reading poetry, history, exploring caves with Shelley on their trips back and forth to South Carolina, Mountain Dew and a little coffee with his sugar. And Bill enjoyed reading his King James Bible. One of the last, if not the last scripture he was aware of is a prophecy of the coming Messiah, 700 years before Christ—Isaiah 53. Here is a poem Bill wrote: Night Wings It’s late fall with moonlight on snow-covered fields, and shadow where forest fades into the hills. Along a glass river the dark willows bend, as wild-geese cross Milky Way chasing the wind. Alone on a hill-top I yearn with their flight, and listen as calls fade away in the night. Eyes toward the heavens I search with my heart, to know the creator…and reason my part. —William Carawan “The Poetry Guy” For those interested in making donations in Bill’s memory, perhaps an animal shelter or a nature conservation society would be considered. Memorial gatherings are pending, and family, friends and co-workers are encouraged to stay in touch.

Tributes

William "Bill" Carawan of Ayer

September 9, 1945 - March 18, 2025