William F. Carlson, 82, of 217 Mission Meade Drive, went to be with the Lord the morning of May 8, 2011 at St. John Specialty Care Center in Mars, PA.Born December 9, 1928, in New Castle, a son of the late Ralph S. and Edith Roberts Carlson.He married Nancy Hinish Carlson on August 14, 1954. She survives. He graduated from New Castle High School in 1946. William worked in the offices of the Pennsylvania, Penn Central and Conrail railroads at various locations for 43 years, retiring in 1989. Within that time frame, Bill enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan. He served in General Douglas MacArthur's occupation headquarters at the time of the Korean War. While in Japan, he played on the all-Army football team. He was discharged in 1951 with the rank of sergeant. Bill was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of Lodge of the Craft-Westminster Lodge #433 and the Scottish Rite Valley of New Castle Consistory and it's Legion of Honor. He was also a member of the Paws and Taws dance club. Bill was a faithful member of Second Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, serving as trustee and elder, and working with the youth sports teams. He was an avid golfer, belonging to both the church golf league and Mohawk Golf League. He enjoyed all sports, and was a fan of both the Steelers and the Pirates. Among his other interests were classic cars, traveling, and planning family reunions. He liked to grow his tomatoes to share with his family and friends. He loved to plant flowers to please his wife, Nan. He will be missed by all his family and friends.In addition to his wife, he is survived by a sister, Martha Carlson Fletcher, of Reno, NV; a brother, Clifford D. Carlson, and sister-in-law, Millie, of Hermitage, PA; a brother-in-law, Samuel J. Hinish, of Massachusettes; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ralph R. and Dorothy Carlson, and L. Milton and Lillian Carlson.Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road.A service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011, at the funeral home. The Rev. Rex Wasser will officiate. Entombment will be in Graceland Cemetery Mausoleum. Military rites will be performed by the New Castle Area Honor Guard at the funeral home.The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and all the other staff at St. John Specialty Care Center for the wonderful care they provided during Bill's long illness there.