William “Bill” do Carmo, 94, of Marion, formerly of New Bedford died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 20, 2024. He was the husband of Doris Carmo for many years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late John and Alice (Lopes) Carmo, he lived in New Bedford most of his life.
Bill was a lifelong entrepreneur and community activist. As president of Carmo & Associates, Consultants, Real Estate, and Construction, he worked as the project manager for the construction of the Roosevelt, Normandin, and Keith Middle Schools. From 1984 to 1991 Bill was the Senior Project Representative for over 4,000 units of affordable housing in Massachusetts through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
As president of the New Bedford chapter of the NAACP he was responsible for the construction of the NAACP Community Building. With the assistance of local banks and philanthropists such as Richard Young of Titleist and Jim Ottaway of the Standard-Times, Bill worked to resolve discrimination in employment, education, and housing. Bill was a founder of the former United Front, now Temple Landing; a Trustee and Board Member of the Whaling Museum; an Election Commissioner for the City of New Bedford; a member of the New Bedford Port Society; Housing Chairman for the NAACP; involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Bedford; and Chairman of the New Bedford Regional Airport.
Bill served proudly in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force for six years during the Korean War. During his service he was denied the opportunity to become a military pilot due to segregation in the military. Bill took it upon himself to earn his private pilot’s license which he held for the rest of his life.
He is survived by his children, Carla Roderick and husband Wayne of New Bedford, Robyn Carmo of Los Angeles, Andrea Carmo of New Bedford, Victoria Gonsalves of New Bedford, William S. Carmo of New York; his siblings Dolores Spencer of Fairhaven, Catherine Cabral of Dartmouth, and George Carmo of New Bedford; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, his former wives, Vivian Lindo and Beverly do Carmo; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his siblings Louis Carmo, Robert Carmo, Charles Carmo, Michael Carmo, John Carmo, and Ethel Fox.
Bill’s visitation will be held Thursday, April 25th from 4-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St, New Bedford. Burial will take place in Rural Cemetery privately at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
