Carnet (Wayne) O’Neal of Terry, MS passed away June 24, 2026 in Flowood, MS after a brief illness. Wayne was born in Jackson, MS to parents Carnet Wayne O’Neal, Sr. and Flora McDaniel O’Neal. He grew up in Jackson where he graduated from Provine High School in 1969.

Known affectionately as “Butch” by family and lifelong friends, Wayne attended Mississippi State University as a Co-operative Plan student, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Engineering. During his tenure at Mississippi State, he alternated semesters between his university studies and internships in several unique and interesting roles. His favorite experience by far was co-oping at Cape Canaveral, the famous launch site for many American space missions, which further strengthened his keen interest in American spacecraft and aircraft, especially military fighter jets.

Wayne served his country with honor in the United States Air Force Reserves, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on the same day he graduated from MSU. A special highlight of his time as a Reservist was working with the world renowned “Hurricane Hunters” of Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS.

One week after his commissioning, “Butch” married the love of his life, Beverly Louise Barnes. Those who knew him as Butch, Wayne, or by any other name, understood that Beverly was his greatest love and deepest devotion. Long time neighbors a few years apart in age, they did not truly connect until Butch was in college and Beverly worked as an operator at the “telephone company.” As he loved to tell the story, on a warm July day in 1972, he and his buddy Eddie were cruising the neighborhood when they spotted the beautiful Beverly sitting on the curb in front of her home. With his friend’s encouragement, Butch gathered his courage, walked over, and finally spoke to her—and the rest, as the saying goes, was history. After they married, Butch and Beverly lived in Jackson until 1994, when they moved to their forever home on a lake in Terry, Mississippi. They celebrated 48 years of marriage in May 2023, three months before Beverly’s passing. He has often said that marrying his love Beverly was his greatest achievement.

Wayne’s long and illustrious career with the United States Geological Survey provided him a source of great joy and accomplishment in his life. Highlights of his career included serving as the longtime champion/project engineer of the Corps of Engineers’ Mississippi River Basin Model project in Jackson; his time as Chief of the Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project (FISP); and most importantly to him, mentoring and teaching others in the design, manufacture, and use of the sediment samplers he revolutionized in the industry. Wayne was deeply respected by the colleagues and friends he made throughout the years and was considered a ‘legend’ in his field. One of his associates shared “Wayne was one of a kind in his craft, he designed and built the most advanced and reliable water samplers in the world…he was always willing to lend a hand or advice no matter the time or circumstance.”

After his retirement Wayne continued the legacy through his own sediment sampler manufacturing company, Carnet Technology, continuously researching and improving the models he so lovingly created, and which are still used throughout the world.

Wayne enjoyed building detailed aircraft models, collecting guns, and especially in his younger years, riding motorcycles and traveling with his wife. He deeply loved his family. Wayne and Beverly cared for his mother, Flora, when she became ill later in life. He also remained devoted to Beverly as her sole caregiver and advocate throughout her long illness. “Uncle Butchie” shared a special bond with his niece Tammy and her husband Tito, and was a cherished member of the extended Barnes family. Though he considered himself “not religious” Wayne loved God and enjoyed his daily Bible readings.

Wayne O’Neal was preceded in death by his beloved wife Beverly, his parents, sister Brenda Calder, brother-in-law Leslie Calder, Jr., mother-in-law Roberta Barnes, niece Delia Barnes Kelty, and sisters-in-law Dee Barnes and Marie Barnes.

He is survived by his niece Tammy Marie Gomez and her husband Tito; Tammy’s children Christina Box, David Salazar, Vanessa Taylor, and Rachel Gomez; nephew Andrew Wayne Calder; brothers-in-law Franz M. “Mike” Barnes (Karen), and Richard C. Barnes; nephew Ricky Barnes; nieces Candise (Sean) Walker and Larkyn Walker, Angela Lollis (John); sister-in-law Carolyn Barnes, and his dear friend Eddie Morris, “brothers” for life.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the ICU at River Oaks Hospital in Flowood for their compassionate care during Wayne’s short illness.