CARL “BILL” WILLIAM CARDIN,
age 95, died peacefully on January 27, 2021.
He was born on March 28, 1925 in St. Louis, Mo., to Alberta and Jack Cardin. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marianne Cardin, and two sons, Tom Cardin and Carl Cardin, Jr.
He is survived by daughters, Kristin Huddle of Little Rock and Julie Cardin-Warling of Portland, Ore.; son, Page Cardin of Chicago, Ill.; brother, Bob Cardin of Las Vegas, Nev.; and grandchildren, Courtney Cardin and Parker and Matisse Cardin-Warling.
Bill served in WWII in the Army’s China-Burma-India operation with the Mars Task Force brigade. He served 25 years in the Army Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
He graduated from the University of Tulsa in 1948 with degrees in broadcast journalism and English.
Bill used his considerable talents & skills in written communication to embark on a highly diverse and accomplished 47year career.
He worked as a broadcast journalist at radio stations in Oklahoma and News Director at KCMO in Kansas City, Mo.
In 1954, he moved to Washington, DC where he variously worked on Capitol Hill as Administrative Assistant for two senators and three congressmen, Including John Paul Hammerschmidt of Arkansas, served as Congressional Relations and Public Information Officer for the FHA and Federal Maritime Commission, as White House Correspondent for NBC’s Three Star Extra news program, and as News Desk Supervisor at NBC’s Washington headquarters.
In the 1990’s, he worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, Colo., developing and producing public information hydrology videos for distribution throughout the U.S. He authored numerous articles for governmental, political and military publications and was a member of the National Press Club.
After retiring in 1996, Bill moved to Little Rock to be closer to family and help care for his wife. He greatly enjoyed playing bridge, reading and attending military reunions with his WWII Mars Task Force buddies. Bill was also generous and caring with others, especially those in need. He supported numerous charities and was known as “The Candy Man” at The Bridge House, St. Mark’s Church, and Presbyterian Village where he distributed candy to friends and strangers alike.
His family wishes to thank the entire Presbyterian Village staff for the care, compassion and communication assistance they provided Bill and his family, especially over the past 10 months, and his care team at Arkansas Hospice for ensuring his comfort and providing family support. Also, many thanks to Josh Taylor and staff at Ruebel Funeral Home for their invaluable assistance. YOU ARE ALL HEROES!
Services will be held at a later date for family only. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry. To sign the condolence book, please visit RuebelFuneralHome.com.