William Julius “Bill” Carlson, 70, of Owings, Maryland died July 17, 2024 at his home among the trees with the loving support of his wife, children, and Hospice of the Chesapeake.

Bill was born just after his twin sister on September 16, 1953 in Denver, Colorado to Robert J. and Patricia A. [Patton] Carlson. He studied Civil Engineering at University of Maryland and worked in both public and private sectors for over 40 years as a traffic engineer throughout the DC/Maryland/Virginia area.

Bill was a loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather valuing his family above all else. He enjoyed music with an extensive vinyl collection largely featuring singers and songwriters of the 60s and 70s. He loved television and film with John Wayne westerns and British T.V. mysteries topping the list of favorites.

Bill kept a cool head in emergencies. He was often the parent who rushed kids to the hospital for stitches or broken bones and arrived at the scene of his teenagers’ car accidents over the years. While he was calm when it really mattered, he was known to lose his cool over things others may consider to be small matters like how to wash dishes, vacuum, or unauthorized piercings (more teenager antics).

Bill had, what some may consider, a wicked sense of humor that was most on display with his sisters, Carolyn and Julie. Their laughter together was contagious, and the jokes were often off color. His children (and grandchildren) have inherited that wicked sense of humor and find themselves caught up in the same raucous laughing fits that Bill had with his sisters, often bringing their Mom right along with them.

Bill and Julie Marie Black were married on July 12, 1980 at Holy Family Church in Davidsonville, Maryland. They shared 44 years (and 5 days) of marriage and raised 5 spirited children who continue to flourish with their families in Maryland, Ohio, and Hawaii. Bill was proud to be Julie’s husband and did everything he could to take care of her and his kids until the very end.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, many beloved family dogs including his favorite English Cocker Spaniels, and one cat, Wendell, that adopted him despite his “allergies.”

He is survived by his wife, Julie; children, Andrew [Kourtney], Bridget Maddox [Robert], Patricia [John McGouyrk], Margaret Douglas [Sean], and Catherine [Banks Wilson]; grandchildren Adelaide and Benjamin Carlson, Ainsley and Raegan Maddox, and Finley Douglas; sisters Carolyn Simpson [Tony] and Julia Gilbreth [Danny]; nieces and nephews.

Private services will be held.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake. (https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/)