William Jennings Braswell

After serving in the U S Navy, Bill met Joyce Holland from Smackover, AR and after a short courtship of four months, the couple married. They moved to Baton Rouge in 1951. After completing an electrical apprenticeship he went to work at Exxon Refinery. They had three children, Billy, Benita and Troy. The family lived in North Baton Rouge until 1974 when he bought land and moved to Ethel, LA and resided there until 2016. He was the fix-it man in the neighborhood, always willing and able to help others when needed.

Bill always worked two jobs to make life better for his family. He was the first salesman for Scott Fence Company. He raised tomatoes in a hot house and sold them to area grocery stores. Prior to retirement from Exxon he attended Bob Brooks School of Real Estate and started selling real estate as a side job for several years before starting his own business, “Braswell Realty.”

He was a natural at selling real estate. He was friendly, fair and honest, trying to make land and/or home ownership a reality for everyone. Along with Steve Dilorenzo he started Feliciana Builders, developing land and building houses. He was in the business for over 40 years, retiring at the age of 86 due to an accident that took away his hearing and his balance.

Bill loved his children and grandchildren: Billy, Kim, Beau, Chase and Nicole Braswell, Benita, Ashley, Damon and Kayla Reno, Troy, Jeanne, Spencer, Nathan and Hannah Braswell, Natasha and Zach Ball, Kyle and Hannah Kastler.

His pride and joy were his 8 great grandsons who could always put a smile on his face. William, Robert, Jennings and Parker Braswell, Brooks and Hayes Reno, Cannon and Maddox Kastler, Paw Paw Bill loved you very much!

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his wife of 64 years, Joyce Holland Braswell, his infant granddaughter, Abigail Elizabeth Braswell, and son in law, Jimmy Reno.

Thanks to the friendly staff and residents of Williamsburg Retirement Community who made it a place that he could call home for the past seven years. We extend our deepest gratitude to Gloria Turner, Elaine Williams and Tiffiny Clark who helped us take care of our Dad the past couple of years.

Visitation will be held Saturday, August 19 at Greenoaks Funeral Home from 9 am until funeral service at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow at Redwood Baptist Church in Slaughter.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to his home church, Redwood Baptist Church, P. O. Box 30, Slaughter, LA 70777.