William E. Carter, well-known sportsman and clubman of Philadelphia and Unionville, Pa., died early Wednesday morning at a West Palm Beach hospital after a brief illness. He had been spending the season at the Breakers, which he had visited each winter for the past few years.

Members of his family had been called to Palm Beach by word of his illness. His son, William T. Carter, 2d, Bryn Mawr, was at the Breakers; his daughter, Mrs. Samuel J. Reeves, and Mr. Reeves, also of Bryn Mawr, who had visited Mrs. George Luke Mesker earlier in the season, returned there. The three left early Wednesday afternoon to accompany the body to Philadelphia.

Mr. Carter was a member of the Racquet Club and of the Sons of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.

The Mizell-Simon Mortuary had charge of the arrangements.