11817 Jefferson Highway
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
William Achel Oliver, known as "Bill" by his friends or "Papa" by his grandchildren, passed away on June 24, 2019. Bill was born on December 31, 1947 to the late Achel Palmer Oliver and Ruby Rhea Sawyer Oliver. He lived in Rose Bud, Arkansas the first six years of his life but grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana and graduated from LaGrange Senior High School. He is preceded in death by both of his parents, his daughter Jane Rachelle Oliver, his mother-in-law Mary Helen Cummins McCool, his father-in-law Dorris Preston McCool, and his brother-in-law James Colen Way. Bill has one older sister, Martha Sue Oliver Way, and a younger brother Kenny Layne (and Cindy Duke) Oliver. Bill met the love of his life, Carolyn Marie McCool, at McNeese State University in 1967 and proposed on the spot. Bill and Carolyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last July. Together, Bill and Carolyn had an amazing life of adventures with their four children. His surviving children are Christy Oliver Reeves and son-in-law Brandon Reeves, Lisa Oliver Thomas and son-in-law Jason Thomas, Michael William Oliver and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Wyble Oliver. Bill was blessed with four talented and adorable grandchildren, Ellen Marie Farmer, Kyra Jane Reeves, Jonathan Michael Oliver, and Lucy Sawyer Reeves, whom he enjoyed spoiling. He is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, his children's in-laws, and lifelong friends whom he cherished. Bill retired as a BellSouth/AT&T Officer in December 2009, after over 36 years of service. He served as the BellSouth/AT&T State President for Louisiana for eight and a half years. His entire tenure was in the state of Louisiana. In 1987 and 1988, he was responsible for all telecommunications services to support the Republican National Convention, New Orleans. He refers to this experience as a "career defining event." In 2004, he was selected to reign as the King of Washington Mardi Gras, one of the greatest experiences and honors of his life. Bill joined the Army ROTC at McNeese State University, graduating as a Distinguished Military graduate. He served 21 years in the U.S. Army Reserve as an officer, retiring in 1991 with the rank of Major. Bill's leadership role in the military gave him the opportunity to greatly influence the lives of many young men and women. Bill holds a BS in Mathematics from McNeese State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He was recognized by his Tulane classmates with the prestigious Vorholt Award for Business Leadership in 1990 and by McNeese as the Distinguished Alumni of the Year in 2005. He has been recognized by the Boy Scouts with the 2019 Pillar of Scouting Award, the Silver Beaver award and the Distinguished Citizen Award and the YLC as an Outstanding Role Model. Since 2006, Bill has worked with the Ochsner Health System. Originally serving as a board member for four years, he later resigned to move into a position supporting their philanthropy and government relations work in 2010. As the philanthropy team grew in 2013, he focused exclusively on government relations and lobbying for the system. Most of his current work was building their external relationships through business development, hospital acquisition and governmental affairs. A strong believer and personal supporter of Ochsner's exceptional healthcare, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the William A. Oliver Cardiology Fund at Ochsner Baton Rouge. Donations may be made online at https://www.ochsner.org/billoliver or mailed to: Ochsner Medical Center, Department of Philanthropy, William A. Oliver Cardiology Fund, 17000 Medical Center Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70816. Please call or email Ochsner Baton Rouge with questions - 225-236-5499 /[email protected]. Bills life will be celebrated on Friday, June 28, 2019 with visitation from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy. Visitation will resume on Saturday June 29, 2019 with visitation from 8:00 am until funeral services at 9:00 am at Jefferson Baptist Church, 9135 Jefferson Hwy. Burial will take place in Resthaven Gardens of Memory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Thinking of Bill today and remembering his wit and gift of public speaking. Always had a good opening joke or story, would grab your attention before his presentation.
Debbie Griffith
June 20, 2022
Offering prayers for a fallen Soldier.
Barry Jarreau
July 1, 2019
Best Friend and Co-worker EVER!! Bill touched so many lives at BellSouth; I am so fortunate to have been one! My condolences to Caroline and family!
Anita Helton
June 30, 2019
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Asif kadri
Friend
June 30, 2019
Caroline & Family,
I am so sorry for your loss of a wonderful
man. He certainly lived life to the fullest.
In the early eighties, I had the pleasure of
working for Bill at BellSouth. He was the most kind, fun boss, I had ever worked for.
He treated "everyone" with respect. We stayed in touch through the years and feel
blessed to have known him. RIP my friend!
SuzyQ Lehrmann
June 29, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
MSG David McGowan ( Ret ) USAR
June 29, 2019
Bill: Such a wonderful leader, mentor, someone that brought the best out in people, a great man. Always had several projects going, did so many different things well, very talented and successful. Touched so many people in a positive way making the world a better place. Thank you, Bill. My sincere condolences to Carolyn and the family.
Debbie Griffith
June 28, 2019
Bill was an exceptional man, kind and generous to everyone he met.
Bill Jolly
June 28, 2019
Bill and I were in the U.S. Army Reserves in New Orleans for quite a number years.
In 1980, (39 years ago), our 692nd Army Unit went to Kaiserslautern Germany.
Attached are (2) shared photos of Bill, (sitting front right), in a German restaurant, & a photo of the WWII German barracks where our unit slept. One photo, (with Bill standing on right), was taken when we left Germany and went to Paris for the weekend.
He was a most outstanding officer, always smiling, and trying his best to assist anyone with his deep heartfelt compassion for all other soldiers.
Most sincere condolences to Bill's wife, children, and family.
This was very heartbreaking news for all of us who have had the honor of getting to known him.
Henry
Henry Chauvin
June 28, 2019
Bill was a special person. He had the ability to light up a room, and he never met a stranger. His kind nature made everyone feel important and he was the life of the party. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with him. He will truly be missed.
Ashley Moran
June 28, 2019
A mentor, a leader, a king in our word.
He will be missed so much.
Bon voyage Bill...
Frenchie
June 27, 2019
Bill a wonderful person and a great leader. Bill always was with a smile and a kind word for all. He will be missed by all the ever met him.
Ed Sarrat
Friend
June 27, 2019
Such a kind soul, he will be deeply missed. May your family be blessed during this time of sorrow.
Sharon Spears
June 27, 2019
Praying for your family during this difficult time. I enjoyed the time I worked with Bill at his Old Hickory home. He was a true gentleman that loved life & family and will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him.
Bruce & Betty Fisher
June 27, 2019
Darling Caroline, i just read the obituary and I want to express my most sincere condolence for the passing of our beloved Bill. He was someone very special and always brought a smile to my face. I will always treasure the lovely memories of the delicious soirees that you generously hosted in your penthouse overlooking Lafayette Square.
I found this photo that I hope you will enjoy having. May his soul RIP.
Margarita Bergen
June 27, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
DON FLOYD
June 27, 2019
It was an honor to call Bill my friend. He will be sorely missed by his Bell family and many, many more.
Kathy Broussard
June 27, 2019
With you in this time of sorrow.
with you in the time of souvenir and strengh
Thoughts and kisses from the French Family
Family Gunther
June 27, 2019
I worked with Bill for many years. A true professional.
My sympathy to his family.
Martha Beeson
June 26, 2019
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Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home - Baton Rouge11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
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Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home - Baton Rouge11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
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