He was born August 26, 1947 the son of late Matt Woodrow and Mable Belle Lawson Cornelius.
He was a member of East Pineville Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Airforce and had served as a Bell County Deputy Sheriff.
He is survived by the following members of his family:
2 Sons: Wayne (Karen) Cornelius and Tim (Vicki) Cornelius
Sisters: Lena (Harold) Harbin, Kitty Trosper, Barbara (Chuck) Green
Grandchildren: Tyler, Joshua, and Noah
Nieces and Nephews: Danny Johnson, Tom Trosper, Kim Green Saylor, Todd Green, Denise Trosper, Sheila Wheatly, Vikki Johnson