William "Will" Cole Carpenter

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of William Cole on January 31, 2023 at 7am, after a courageous 13 month battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma. Due to the grace, compassion, and kindness of Haven Hospice Care Center in Lake City, FL, Will was able to peacefully leave the young body that failed him and return to his forever eternal home.

Although we pleaded with God for a miracle, we saw our baby was tired and a cure was not to be had so, we prayed for our Savior to wrap his arms around Will’s weak body and ask him to come home. With tearful eyes we quietly gathered around his bed and watched as he took his last breath and was no longer in pain. Although he was loved so very deeply, we were unable to save our sweet boy and make him stay. His beautiful kind heart stopped beating, and his struggling lungs were finally at rest. God has broken our hearts to prove to us that he only takes the best. He lent us his most precious angel for a little time, and we must find a way to brave the bitter grief that comes as we try to understand.

Will is survived by his mother and step-father, Ashleigh and David Pitzer of Live Oak, FL; his father and step-mother, Steven and Kimberly Carpenter, Jr. of Madison, FL; his sister Claire Carpenter; his step-sisters, Alexis and Katie Thompson of Live Oak, FL; and Paternal Grandparents, Steven and Stephanie Carpenter, Sr. of Madison, FL; along with countless loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Patricia Godwin and Charles Denson.

We strongly ask that you donate to curesarcoma.org in leu of flowers or gifts. Our sweet boy may have lost his battle to this unrelenting cancer, but the tragic war continues for so many children and parents every day.  Please continue to honor Will’s memory by bringing awareness and funding to this rarely known, but always devasting form of childhood cancer.

With open arms we want to invite everyone to please join us as we take the time to reflect on a beautiful life that was cut way too short and celebrate the memory of our sweet boy. Visitation will be held prior to the services from 1:30 to 3pm at First Baptist Church Family Ministry Building with funeral services to follow at 3pm with Rev. Phillip Herrington officiating.