Willard G. "Will" Carleton

Willard Gordon “Will” Carleton, 96, of Port Huron, died Friday, May 25, 2018.

He was born June 9, 1921 in Port Huron to the late Ross and Clista Carleton and was a life-long area resident.

Will was a 1939 graduate of Port Huron High School and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of First United Methodist Church for 45 years and, later in life, joined Colonial Woods Missionary Church.

Will joined the Port Huron Police Department in 1946. He walked the streets as an old time beat cop for many years and retired as Detective Lieutenant in 1981. With 35 years of service, he was a treasure trove of stories from foot pursuits and car chases to delivering eight babies. In the early days, there were only two patrol cars and no ambulances.

Will was very active throughout his life and could be found every morning at Tim Hortons for coffee and socializing. Until age 88, he would ride his bike throughout Port Huron. After he gave up bike riding in 2009, he would walk in the Birchwood Mall and in the evenings could be found socializing once again at various locations around town.

Will was very outgoing and, when he met you for the first time, would ask your family name. If you were from Port Huron he would surely know someone from your family’s history.

He is survived by his son, Bruce Carleton; and will be greatly missed by his many friends, especially the last love of his life, Gloria Ayers. She was his constant companion from July 2011 until his death.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 in Colonial Woods Missionary Church with visitation from 10:00 am. The Reverend Phil Whetstone will officiate. Military Honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to one of Will’s favorite charities which include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Salvation Army, Blue Water Area Humane Society, Shriners Hospitals for Children or Colonial Woods Missionary Church.

Arrangements are by Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. To send condolences, please visit www.pollockrandall.com