Former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024, was laid to rest after a poignant six-day funeral schedule. His funeral procession commenced early Saturday morning at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, following the carrying of his flag-draped casket by Secret Service agents, as family members mourned by his side. The hearse first traveled through Plains, Georgia, Carter's hometown, where dozens lined the streets to honor the beloved 39th president. Mourners displayed signs reading, “President Carter, a man of honor,” and “Thank you, President Carter!” as Keaymonda Hollis recalled, “It’s so amazing to me...small town people can make an impact wherever they go.”
The procession halted at Carter's childhood home, known as The Boyhood Home and Farm, where the National Park Service rang the historic farm bell 39 times. Later, Carter's procession continued to Atlanta, stopping at the State Capitol before moving to the Carter Presidential Center for a private memorial service. Jason Carter, the former president's grandson, expressed during the service, “These buildings are filled with his life...his spirit fills this place, and the real reason for this spirit is because of the people who are standing here.”
Carter’s son, James “Chip” Carter, shared a tender memory of how his father helped him study for a Latin exam during Christmas vacation, emphasizing the parental support he provided. “I owed it to my father who spent...that kind of time with me,” he said. After lying in repose at the center until Tuesday morning, Carter's casket will be moved to Washington, D.C. for his national funeral service at the National Cathedral.
Meanwhile, another prominent figure, Horst Köhler, the former president of Germany and ex-head of the International Monetary Fund, died on February 1, 2025, at the age of 81 after a brief illness. Stefan Seibert, spokesperson for Germany’s current president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, confirmed his death occurred surrounded by family. Born on February 22, 1943, Köhler was relatively unknown before his election as president from 2004 to 2010. But he rose to prominence by taking stances independent of the country's political elite.
Initially met with skepticism—reflected by the mass-circulation daily Bild's headline “Horst Who?”—his presidency is remembered for calls for Germany to embrace change and not rest on past achievements. Köhler was known for his unyielding nature, occasionally refusing to sign bills due to constitutional concerns, which sometimes strained his relationship with then-Chancellor Angela Merkel's government. “Our future and the future of our children is at stake,” he voiced during challenges of labor reforms.
His resignation on May 31, 2010, came after controversial comments about Germany's military deployments, causing significant public and political fallout. Criticism followed his declaration during a radio interview where he implied military action could be necessary to protect Germany’s interests—an interpretation many found contentious. Despite the abrupt end to his presidency, Köhler was praised for his efforts to highlight Africa's needs and received accolades for addressing Israel's parliament on the Holocaust. President Steinmeier acknowledged his legacy, stating, “For Horst Kohler, we have lost...a highly esteemed and extremely popular person who achieved great things.”
Lastly, Richard Williamson, the ultra-traditionalist bishop, passed away on January 29, 2025, at the age of 84. Williamson, who was consecrated bishop by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, created significant controversy during the papacy of Benedict XVI due to his Holocaust denial statements. His views sparked outrage during the 2009 revival of his bishopric by the pope, who later faced criticism over not foreseeing the repercussions of Williamson's remarks. Williamson's expulsion from the Society of St. Pius X highlighted the fissures within the organization he once belonged to, corroborated by their later denouncement of him for insubordination.
Williamson's academic background illustrated his complexity; he was educated at Cambridge and received ordination through Lefebvre. The position he nurtured for decades became mired in scandal, with many debates surrounding his legacy after he denied key historical events. His death marks yet another chapter turned for those involved with or affected by the Society of St. Pius X.
These recent deaths highlight not just the finality of life, but the legacies these men left behind. Their contributions, whether perceived positively or negatively, exemplify the impact individuals can have on both national and global scales.