Wilbur G. “Bill” Carawan, 84, of 7760 Piney Woods Road, Fairfield, died Friday, May 11, 2012, at his home.

Born in Beaufort County, September 26, 1927, he was the son of the late Irvin Emmett and Katie Dell Cox Carawan. He was married to Betty Mann Carawan who survives. They made their home in the Portsmouth-Chesapeake, Virginia area for 35 years before returning home to Hyde County.

Bill served his country in the U. S. Army/Air Force and was honorably discharged as staff sergeant. He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from N.C. State University and worked with the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth and later with Newport News Shipbuilding, where he retired in 1986 after 36 years of service. He was a long-time Mason in the former Fairfield Lodge 520 AF&AM and more recently a member of Atlantic Lodge 294 AF&AM. He was a member of Fairfield United Methodist Church.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Fairfield United Methodist Church. The Revs. Sue Farlow, pastor, and Valerie Balance Tyson will officiate. Burial will follow on the family plot in Soule Cemetery.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Emmett Carawan and wife Lauren of Virginia Beach, Va.; three daughters, Ellen C Westerholm and husband David of Stafford, Va., Cindy C. Anderson and husband Terry of Bratislova, Slovakia, and Becky C. Rich and husband Thomas of Mechanicsville, Va.; a brother, Edward “Bunk” Carawan of Swan Quarter; a sister, Metta Carawan Austin and husband Jerry of Manteo; grandchildren,

Greg Westerholm and wife Farrah, Meridith Secor and husband Justin, Sarah Westerholm, Shelby Anderson, Mitchell Anderson, Haley Rich, Maddie Rich and Aurora Carawan; great-grandchildren, Mason Westerholm and Kehlan Westerholm.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a brother, Glenn Carawan, and a sister, Jane Simmons Barber.

Memorials are suggested to Fairfield United Methodist Church, c/o Ashlyn Ballance, Treasurer, 6785 N. C. Highway 94, Fairfield NC 27826 or Community Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 130, Engelhard NC 27824.

The family will receive friends at Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter, on Monday evening, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and other times at the home. Online sympathy messages may be directed to www.bryanfs.com.