Cornelius "Bill" Carraway

Cornelius Carraway, affectionately known as Bill to his family and friends, was a resident of Central, LA, for 45 years. On December 24, 2025, Bill passed away at his home with his daughter Paula and son Roger by his side. Originally from Smithdale, Mississippi, he was blessed with 92 years of life.

Bill was an Army Veteran and served as a helicopter technician/mechanic. He did not re-enlist at the end of his service, as he was needed back on his family’s farm to help his parents. He later worked with the Crawford Lumber Company in Gloster, MS, and assisted with constructing homes in the Villa Del Ray subdivision in Baton Rouge, LA. To further support his family, he began working as a roustabout in the oilfield, where he worked his way up to a supervisory position, which led him to move his family from Gloster, MS, to Laurel, MS, then to South Florida. From there, he moved back to Laurel, MS, then Thibodaux and New Iberia, LA, before settling in Baton Rouge, LA, in 1980 to begin the Port Hudson, Moore Sams, and Lockhart Crossing Projects. After a successful 40 years working in the oil field, Bill retired from Amoco/BP Production Company.

Bill is best described as an incredibly hardworking and perfectionist individual with a strong work ethic. To him, these characteristics were a means to provide for his family, whom he loved and valued above all else. Most importantly, he instilled these values and work ethic in his children and grandchildren. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed gardening, fishing, and hunting - especially when those trips involved taking his grandsons to teach them the skills that hunters and naturalists value. Above all, Bill was a passionate, lifetime Ole Miss and Mississippi State football fan.

He is survived by this daughter Paula C. Delaune, son Roger D. Carraway (Cathy), and six grandchildren: Jason Delaune (fiancée Avery Walsh), Amy L. Diaz, née Delaune (Michael Sr.), Jeffrey Delaune (Amy Claire), Brandon Carraway (Erin), Kayla Carraway Cleveland, and Lucas Carraway, along with twelve great-grandchildren: Preston, Emilia and Carter Delaune, Michael Jr. and Christopher Diaz, Eliana, Levi, Naomi and Christian Delaune, Wren and Lily Carraway, and Reese Cleveland, along with his brother Wayne Carraway (Helen), and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Ethel Lambert Carraway, parents Hobson and Velma Carraway, siblings Alfred Carraway (Mary), Dorothy Townsend (L.C.), Dick Carraway (Janice), Vera Newman (Lane), and Ed Carraway (Betty).

The pallbearers will include family members Jason Delaune, Jefferey Delaune, Brandon Carraway, Lucas Carraway, Michael Diaz, Sr., and Nathan Carraway.

In place of flowers, the family requests that you consider a memorial gift in Bill’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the Pinnacle Hospice nurses for their loving care during this time.

Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home & Memorial Park, located at 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70815, in the Chapel, on January 2, 2026, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. The funeral service and burial will follow at the same location in the Chapel, starting at 2:00 p.m.