Willard ‘Will’ Maurice Carne, Sr.

ESCANABA — A true community icon was lost on Dec. 19 with the passing of Willard “Will” Maurice Carne, Sr., who was known for his volunteerism, board service, entrepreneurialism, and love of Delta County and its residents.

“Will was a community leader who was admired and loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” said Delta County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vickie Micheau, whose path frequently crossed with Carne’s at fundraisers, ribbon cuttings, and other community events. “Throughout the time I knew Will, he gave selflessly to others, serving on numerous boards and dedicating countless hours to community organizations and events — he rarely missed a fundraiser. His passion for improving our waterfront community was matched only by his genuine kindness, generosity, and love for his family and friends.”

Carne was born August 27, 1932 in Iron River, Mich. to Albert and Cecila (Armstrong) Carne. His entrepreneurial spirit was cultivated at a young age, selling newspapers and paperback books before learning to pump gas and repair vehicles at this brother-in-law’s service station as a teen. When he graduated from Iron River High School in 1950, he gave the commencement address on “Progress in the Field of Business.”

He served in the Michigan National Guard for 20 years and worked his way through college at Northern Michigan University as a painter and a janitor at the First National Bank in Marquette. He studied English and theater, going on to become a teacher in Felch, Mich. He married the Arlene Meyer on Sept. 27, 1960 in Niagara, Wis., moved to Republic, Mich., started a family, and continued teaching, spending his summers operating a service station in Iron River.

In many ways, Carne’s life revolved around the unlikely intersection of education and service stations. In the summer of 1967 he started Carne’s Standard Service Station in Escanaba with intentions of teaching again in the fall. He never made it back to teaching — operating what is now known as Carne’s EcoFuels for 57 years — but found a new role on the Escanaba school board, where he served for 38 years.

“I have known Wil Carne for my entire professional career. I met him in his role as a school board member when I started working for Escanaba Schools in 1991. I was always impressed by his desire to do what was right for our kids and their parents while caring for our staff members,” said Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District Superintendent Doug Leisenring, who spent his first 24 years with the Escanaba Area Public Schools District. “He was a kind, thoughtful man, and I enjoyed presenting the Excellence in Education award with him each fall at the annual Chamber dinner. I will miss him greatly.”

Carne found other ways to continue shaping the minds of children — even if he wasn’t recognized. For over 70 years he played Santa throughout the holiday season, both at events and in quick stops to children’s homes on Christmas Eve.

One of those children visited by a red suit-clad Carne was Tyler Anthony, who grew up and, prior to becoming Escanaba’s zoning administrator, worked for Carne at EcoFuels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I only truly got to know him in this late period of his life, as he was already 89 when I started working at the station. Despite that, he was still sharp as a whip,” said Anthony.

Anthony said that even in his 90s, Carne still insisted on helping close the store every night. He meticulously kept records in spiral-bound notebooks that seemed like gibberish to everyone else, but if an error with the tills slipped by, Carne could solve the problem on the spot.

“He was a great ambassador for Escanaba, regaling visitors with any number of stories. He loved this community, and we all loved him back. I hope Will’s enjoying some Coca Cola and a game of pinochle with his buddies up in heaven now,” said Anthony.

Carne’s attention to detail and love of Delta County was evident in the many groups he found himself in. In addition to serving on Escanaba’s school board, Carne served on the boards for Fitzharris Alternative High School, NMU Development, Bay College, Michigan Works!, the Delta County Community Foundation, Lake State Industries, Escanaba 1st National/MFC, the United Way of Delta County, the Delta County Republican Party, the Optimist Club of Escanaba, the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, and the Ambassadors of Delta County. Many boards experienced Carne’s leadership for three decades or more.

“Certainly, it’s people like Will Carne who will provide the kind of leadership needed to put United Way over the top,” said Samuel Benedict, chairman of the United Way of Delta County’s 1977 campaign, at the time of Carne’s appointment as the campaign’s vice-chair. Carne would later go on to be the campaign’s chair and then the United Way’s board president.

In 2012, Carne was among the honorees of the fourth annual U.P. Service Awards, one of multiple awards he received while in Delta County. However, he was more often than not the one giving an award, whether it was at the annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner, a Community Foundation for Delta County grant, or an Escanaba High School diploma.

“We’re proof that the people of Delta County really care about their community and give generously to causes they believe in,” he said in 2007 while serving as the Community Foundation’s board chair and celebrating the $100,000 raised at the foundation’s MASH/GOOD DEED dinner.

Carne’s unique way of leadership — picking causes that made an impact on the community, getting involved, and magnifying the impact of others — may be the defining aspect of his legacy.

“p4″>”He led by example, inspiring all of us to give back and make a difference.  Will was known for his unyielding positivity and servant leadership. His legacy of service and love will continue to inspire us all,” said Micheau.