William Alexander Carpentier

William A. Carpentier (Bill), 59, passed suddenly into eternal life on Monday, August 7, 2023. Bill was married to his loving wife, Barbara Carpentier (née Vassalluzzo), for 33 years. Bill and Barbara were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Abigail and Emily. Born in Albany, New York, Bill grew up in Indian Head, Maryland and lived in La Plata, Maryland for the past 25 years. A 1981 graduate of Lackey High School in Indian Head, Bill went on to attend Villanova University graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science. While at Villanova, Bill met his beloved wife, Barbara and the two were married in 1990. Having been a member of Villanova’s Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, Bill went on to flight training in Pensacola, Florida and became a Naval Flight Officer in the EA6-B Prowler radar jamming jet. That year, Bill became a founding member, or what the the Navy calls, a “plank owner” for a new squadron of radar jammers, VAQ-142 based in Whidbey Island, Washington, serving on the USS Forrestal. From Whidbey Island, Bill went on to attend the United States Naval Academy’s Post Graduate School in Monterey, California receiving a Master of Science degree in Electronic Warfare Engineering. While in Monterey, he and Barbara enjoyed the central coast’s wonderful golf courses, cuisine and culture. Bill was then sent to Naples, Italy where he served on the Sixth Fleet, Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe staff which was involved in Operation Sharp Guard during the Bosnian war. Bill and Barbara cherished their time in Italy where they spent time with their family and were able to enjoy all of Europe. After another sea tour with the squadron, Bill transitioned to civilian life, moving back to Maryland and taking an engineering position in Leonardtown, Maryland with what is now KBR Wyle’s Defense Systems Engineering team. Bill worked at KBR Wyle for 25 years as an engineer for programs such as F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet and F-35 Lightening II multi role combat aircraft. Over his 25 years, with a wealth of engineering and technical knowledge, Bill became a project manager, program manager, and operating unit director among other professional achievements. While his professional life was important, it was his devotion to faith, family, community and country, that was central in his life. His “girls” were the light of his life and he theirs. Bill and Barbara brought a wood fired pizza oven back from Italy and Bill built it in their back yard in La Plata. He was very proud of it and loved making pizza for family and friends. Cooking for the people that he loved was one of Bill’s greatest joys. Bill loved to read, and loved science fiction, in particular Star Trek. He was always at the ready to lead, help, console, protect, love and give. He made his family laugh every day, and he was their cats’ favorite person. His presence in this life is deeply missed and we pray that he is with God in heaven. Bill is predeceased by his parents William H. and Gloria S. Carpentier. He is survived by his dear wife, Barbara, beautiful daughters Abigail and Emily, sister Kathleen Snellings and her husband, Mark, his sister, Deborah Carpentier, sister-in-law Beth Tentilucci and her husband, David and sister-in-law Diane Vassalluzzo. He predeceased by his brother-in-law Christopher Vassalluzzo. He loved his many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews very much. Visitation will be Saturday, August 26th, 2023 from 11:30 to 12:30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, (205 St. Mary’s Avenue La Plata, MD 20646) followed by Catholic Mass of Christian burial also at Sacred Heart followed by interment at Mt. Carmel Monastery (5678 Mount Carmel Road, La Plata, MD). In lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to make donations in Bill’s name to the Sisters of Mount Carmel (Carmel of Port Tobacco, 5678 Mount Carmel Road, La Plata, MD 20646-3625) with checks payable to Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Maryland, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142).

William Alexander Carpentier

December 29, 1963 - August 7, 2023