LTC William Jasper Carden III, U.S. Army Retired

William Jasper Carden III, 75, passed peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Saturday, July 27, 2024, for life everlasting with his Savior. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jacalyn Lee; daughter, Kelly A. Carden; son Kyle M. Carden (Kim); brother Charles T. Carden (Dianna). He is preceded in death by his parents William Jasper Carden, Jr. and Kathryn (Poppie) Carden.  

Bill was born September 30, 1948, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Bill graduated with the Columbia Military Academy Class of 1966 and then received a B.S. in Business Management from Tennessee Technological University in 1970. He was in the ROTC and a member of the award-winning Pershing Rifle Team. Bill enjoyed a 22-year career in the U.S. Army serving his country in a number of areas in field artillery principally with the 4th Infantry, Branch Chief at the Defense Communication Agency, Senior Officer Nuclear Weapons Crs, and roles as a systems analyst World Wide Military Command and Control System Program and the Pentagon Crisis Action System, National Guard/Reserve training, education and mobilization management. He obtained his M.B.A. in Data Processing from Middle Tennessee State University in 1979. He retired from the Army in 1992. He received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3-OLCs), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Army Service Ribbon (2), and Parachute Badge. 

Bill’s second career built on his program and project management skills where he continued to serve his country in the defense contracting arena for another 22 years. Bill provided daily leadership and management of the teams that provided software life cycle program management support to the National Guard Bureau and United States Army Reserve forces; established policies and standards for the Army and Air National Guard; and established an Independent Evaluation Program for the U.S. Army’s Reserve Component Automation System and the Distributive Training and Technology Project distance learning classrooms. He provided his leadership and guidance in the implementation of state-of-the-art learning environments for the Army Enterprise Classroom Program until he retired in 2014 to make his home in Western North Carolina. He served as a leader and mentor to many, earning well-deserved Leadership and Project Team Excellence awards during his tenure in defense contracting.

Bill loved Hendersonville and particularly his home and family of friends in Cummings Cove. Volunteerism and gardening were in Bill’s blood. He volunteered with The Victory Garden, brought his skills to bear with card games, joined Jackie in creating the Loopers Wine group, and pursued interests in genealogy, hiking, reading, and traveling. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville. 

Bill’s faith, hope, and trust in God never wavered during his illness with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He endured many losses with a positive attitude, big smile, laughs, and a thumbs up. He was the kindest and gentlest of men always concerned for others before himself. 

Bill was buried on August 4 at Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbia, Tennessee. A service to honor Bill will be held Saturday, September 21, 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, North Carolina. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Bill’s memory to the Four Season’s (Hospice) Foundation and/or the Pardee (Hospital) Foundation.