Rev. W. B. "Bill" Carraway

Rev. W. B. (Bill) Carraway, 89, of Houston, Texas died peacefully on February 4, 2015 from complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease. W.B., a Baptist minister, sailor, author and publisher, was known fondly as a devout Christian, dedicated family man, and a lover of music, laughter and adventure.

He was born on December 8, 1925 in Blooming Grove, Texas to the late H.B. Carraway and Geneva Carraway Ross Stanley. Siblings include Harold, Jay, Robert, and Dorothy Nell, all deceased. Youngest sister Neva Blair lives in Amarillo, foster sisters June Heath Castle Morris and Elizabeth (Sugar) Carraway live in Garland. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Belva June Combs Carraway, who passed in 1983 at age 55; and by his second wife Ann Johnson Carraway who passed in 2005 at age 88.

W.B. held degrees from Jacksonville Junior College, Henderson State Teachers College and Dallas Theological Seminary. He served bravely in the Navy in the Pacific theater aboard the U.S.S. Cascade during World War II. He retired in June of 1991 at age 65, after 45 years as a Baptist minister serving as pastor at 14 churches in Texas.

In his book, W.B. wrote, “I often told my wife that the best four day’s work we ever did was when we had our four children. Each and all have blessed my life ten thousand fold.” He is survived by children Ronnie Carraway of Longview, Rebecca McDermott of Houston, Diane Carraway Piette of Buzzards Bay, Mass., and predeceased by eldest son Donnie Carraway of Texarkana. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Bryan Paul Carraway of Virginia Beach, Va.; Meghan McDermott of Staten Island N.Y.; Patrick McDermott of Schenectady, N.Y.; Colleen McDermott of Austin; Jacquelyn Piette of Vancouver, B.C., Canada; and Marissa Piette of Washington, D.C.; and four great-grandchildren: Anakin, Nyah, Alden and Asher Carraway of Virginia Beach, Va.

W. B.’s hobbies included guitar, scrapbooking, traveling, and golf. Of his many interests, W.B. was perhaps most passionate about music. In his words, he became “somewhat of a celebrity” in his adolescence at the Texas Baptist Orphanage in Waxahachie, Texas, as a member of a quartet that was well known across the state. He also sang in a Navy quartet during his years of service. Later in life, he enjoyed performing the electric guitar for his children and grandchildren.

Pallbearers for his service will be; Ronald Carraway, Edward Piette, Dan McDermott and Keith Blair. Services will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at East Funeral Home-Downtown in Texarkana, Tx with his grandson Bryan Paul Carraway officiating. He will be interred following the service at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens in Texarkana next to his wife, Belva June under the direction of East Funeral Home-Downtown.

“Do I fear, do I dread death? Absolutely not; I’m ready when He’s ready. I do not believe death to be the end; just the beginning.” –W.B. Carraway

Online tributes can be post at www.eastfuneralhome.com.