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<body>

<font SIZE="2">
<p align="center" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2002.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Registration No. 333-______</p>
</font><b>
<hr ALIGN="left" SIZE="4" noshade>
</b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">UNITED STATES</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION</p>
<font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Washington, D.C. 20549</p>
</font>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<b><font SIZE="5">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">FORM S-8</p>
</font>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</p>
<font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">__________</p>
</font><font SIZE="4">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CenturyTel, Inc.</p>
</font></b><i><font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter)</p>
</font></i><font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
</font>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><center>
<table CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="342" VALIGN="TOP"><b><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Louisiana</font></b></td>
    <td WIDTH="337" VALIGN="TOP"><b><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">72-0651161</font></b></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="342" VALIGN="TOP"><i><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(State or other
      jurisdiction</font></i></td>
    <td WIDTH="337" VALIGN="TOP"><i><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(I.R.S. Employer</font></i></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="342" VALIGN="TOP"><i><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">of incorporation
      or organization)</font></i></td>
    <td WIDTH="337" VALIGN="TOP"><i><font SIZE="2">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Identification
      No.)</font></i></td>
  </tr>
</table>
</center><b><font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">100 CenturyTel Drive</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Monroe, Louisiana
71203</p>
</font></b><font SIZE="2"><i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Address, including
zip code, of</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Principal Executive
Offices)</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
</i><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CenturyTel, Inc. 2002
Directors Stock Option Plan<br>
CenturyTel, Inc. 2002 Management Incentive Compensation Plan</p>
</b><i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Full title of the
plans)</p>
</i></font>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">__________</p>
<b><font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Harvey P. Perry</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Executive Vice
President, Chief Administrative Officer,</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">General Counsel and
Secretary</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CenturyTel, Inc.</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">100 CenturyTel Drive</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Monroe, Louisiana
71203</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(318) 388-9000</p>
</font></b><font SIZE="2"><i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Name, address,
including zip code, and telephone number,</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">including area code,
of agent for service)</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
</i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Copy to:</p>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Kenneth J. Najder</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Jones, Walker,
Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &amp; Den&#232;gre, L.L.P.</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">201 St. Charles Avenue</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">New Orleans, Louisiana
70170-5100</p>
</b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CALCULATION OF
REGISTRATION FEE</p>
</b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
</font>
<table BORDER="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" cellpadding="0">
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="100%" VALIGN="TOP" colspan="5">
      <hr noshade size="4">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="28%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Title of
      securities</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">to be registered</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Amount</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">to be</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">registered<sup>(1)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Proposed maximum</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">offering price</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">per share</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Proposed maximum</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">aggregate</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">offering price</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Amount of</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">registration</p>
      <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">fee</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="100%" VALIGN="TOP" colspan="5">
      <hr>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="28%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><font SIZE="1">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Common
      Stock, $1 par value per<br>
      &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;share</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" HEIGHT="26">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" HEIGHT="26">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" HEIGHT="26">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="BOTTOM" HEIGHT="26">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="28%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="42">
      <blockquote>
        <font SIZE="1">
        <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">2002 Directors Stock Option
        Plan</p>
        </blockquote>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="42"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">356,000 Shares&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">44,000 Shares&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="42"><b><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$ </font></b><font SIZE="1">29.63<sup>
      (2)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
      <b>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="right"></b>$ 29.06<sup> (3)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="42"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$ 10,548,280 <sup>(2)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
      <b>
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></b>$ 1,278,640 <sup>(3)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="42"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$ 970 <sup>(2)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$ 118 <sup>(3)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="28%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="37">
      <blockquote>
        <font SIZE="1">
        <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">2002 Management Incentive
        Compensation Plan
        </blockquote>
      </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="37"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">4,500,000 Shares&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="37"><b><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      </font></b><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$ 29.63<sup> (2)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="37"><b><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      </font></b><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$133,335,000 <sup>(2)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="37"><b><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      </font></b><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$ 12,267<sup> (2)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="28%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><font SIZE="1">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Preference
      Share Purchase Rights</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">4,900,000 Rights&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">--- <sup>(4)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><font SIZE="1">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="right">---&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">--- <sup>(4)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
    <tr>
    <td WIDTH="100%" VALIGN="TOP" colspan="5">
      <hr>
      </td>
    </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="28%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><font SIZE="1">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Total</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">4,900,000 Shares&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><b><font SIZE="1">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="right"></font></b><font SIZE="1">---&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><font SIZE="1">
      <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$145,161,920<sup>
      (2)</sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="MIDDLE" HEIGHT="26"><b><font SIZE="1">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0" align="right"></font></b><font SIZE="1">$
      13,355&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
      <tr>
    <td WIDTH="100%" VALIGN="TOP" colspan="5">
      <hr noshade size="4">
        </td>
      </tr>
</table>
<font SIZE="1">
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
</font>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
  <tr>
    <td valign="top"><font SIZE="1">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td valign="top"><font SIZE="1">Upon a future stock split, stock dividend or
      similar transaction involving Common Stock of the Company and during the
      effectiveness of this Registration Statement, the number of securities
      registered shall be automatically increased to cover the additional
      securities in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of
      1933.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td valign="top"><font SIZE="1">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td valign="top"><font SIZE="1">Estimated solely for the purpose of
      calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the
      Securities Act of 1933, based on the average of the high and low price per
      share of the Common Stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock
      Exchange-Listed Stocks on May 22, 2002.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td valign="top"><font SIZE="1">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td valign="top"><font SIZE="1">Estimated solely for the purpose of
      calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the
      Securities Act of 1933, based upon the price at which currently
      outstanding options are exercisable.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td valign="top"><font SIZE="1">(4)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td valign="top"><font SIZE="1">Preference Share Purchase Rights are
      attached to and trade with the Common Stock of the Company. The value
      attributable to such Rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of
      such Common Stock. Because no separate consideration is paid for such
      Rights, the registration fee for such securities is included in the fee
      for such Common Stock.</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">PART II</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</p>
</b><b>
<p>Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
following documents, which have been filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (the
&quot;Company&quot;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
&quot;Commission&quot;), are incorporated herein by reference:</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
&quot;Exchange Act&quot;);</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All other reports filed by the Company with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end
of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report referred to in (a) above;</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The description of the Common Stock of the Company
included in Amendment No. 2 on Form 8-A/A to the Registration Statement on Form
8-A of the Company filed on November 19, 1999 under the Exchange Act relating to
the Common Stock of the Company; and</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The description of the Preference Share Purchase
Rights of the Company included in Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-A/A to the
Registration Statement on Form 8-A of the Company filed on November 19, 1999
under the Exchange Act relating to the Preference Share Purchase Rights of the
Company.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All
documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
hereto that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall, except to the extent
otherwise provided by Regulation S-K or any other rule promulgated by the
Commission, be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any
statements contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other document subsequently filed or
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Description of Securities.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not
applicable.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not
applicable.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b> <b>Indemnification of Directors and
Officers.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Section 83
of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law provides in part that the Company may
indemnify any of its directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding to which he is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party
(including any action by or in the right of the Company) if such action arises
out of his acts on the Company's behalf, and he acted in good faith not opposed
to the Company's best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
Company has the power to obtain and maintain insurance, or to create a form of
self-insurance, on behalf of any person who is or was acting for the Company,
regardless of whether the Company has the legal authority to indemnify the
insured person against such liability.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Article
II, Section 10 of the Company's by-laws (the &quot;indemnification by-law&quot;)
provides for mandatory indemnification for its current or former directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted by Louisiana law.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
Company's Articles of Incorporation authorize the Company to enter into
contracts with its directors and officers providing for indemnification to the
fullest extent permitted by law. The Company has entered into indemnification
contracts providing its directors and officers the procedural and substantive
rights to indemnification currently set forth in the indemnification by-law
(&quot;indemnification contracts&quot;). The right to indemnification provided
by an indemnification contract applies to all covered claims, whether such
claims arose before or after the effective date of the contract.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The
Company maintains an insurance policy covering the liability of its directors
and officers for actions taken in their official capacities. The indemnification
contracts provide that, to the extent insurance is reasonably available, the
Company will maintain comparable insurance coverage for each contracting party
as long as he serves as an officer or director and thereafter for so long as he
is subject to possible personal liability for actions taken in such capacity.
The indemnification contracts also provide that if the Company does not maintain
comparable insurance, the Company will hold harmless and indemnify a contracting
party to the full extent of the coverage that would otherwise have been provided
for his benefit.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exemption From Registration Claimed.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not
applicable.</p>
<b>
<p>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b> <b>Exhibits.</p>
</b>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
  <tr>
    <td width="47" valign="top"></td>
    <td width="43" valign="top">5.1</td>
    <td width="615" valign="top">Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent,
      Carr&#232;re &amp; Den&#232;gre, L.L.P.<br>
      &nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="47" valign="top"></td>
    <td width="43" valign="top">23.1</td>
    <td width="615" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP.<br>
      &nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="47" valign="top"></td>
    <td width="43" valign="top">23.2</td>
    <td width="615" valign="top">Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent,
      Carr&#232;re &amp; Den&#232;gre, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).<br>
      &nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
</table>
<b>
<p>Item 9.</b>&nbsp;<b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</b> <b>Undertakings.</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</p>
<blockquote>
  <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  (1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To file, during any period in which offers or
  sales are being made and to the extent required by the Securities Act of 1933
  and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, a post-effective
  amendment to this registration statement:</p>
  <blockquote>
    <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
    (i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any prospectus required by section
    10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;</p>
    <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
    (ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To reflect in the prospectus any facts or
    events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or
    the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
    the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase
    or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
    securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
    deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
    may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to
    Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent
    no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
    forth in the &quot;Calculation of Registration Fee&quot; table in the
    effective registration statement;</p>
    <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
    (iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any material information with
    respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
    registration statement or any material change to such information in this
    registration statement;</p>
  </blockquote>
  <p><i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  Provided, however</i>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply
  if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
  those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
  pursuant to Section13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.</p>
  <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  (2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That, for the purpose of determining any liability
  under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment filed for
  such purposes shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
  the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
  time shall be deemed to be the initial <i>bona fide</i> offering thereof.</p>
  <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
  (3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To remove from registration by means of a
  post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
  unsold at the termination of the offering.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceedings) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</p>
<b><font SIZE="3">
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">SIGNATURES</p>
</font></b><font SIZE="3">
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Monroe, State of Louisiana, on May 24, 2002.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
  <tr>
    <td width="323" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="387" colspan="2" valign="top"><font SIZE="3">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CENTURYTEL,
      INC.</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="323" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="37" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="350" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="323" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="37" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="350" valign="top">
      <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="323" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="37" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="3">By:&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td width="350" valign="top" align="center">
      <p ALIGN="center" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="3">/s/
      Glen F. Post, III</font></p>
      <hr ALIGN="left">
    </td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="323" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="37" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="350" valign="top" align="center">
      <p ALIGN="center" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="3">Glen
      F. Post, III</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="323" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="37" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="350" valign="top" align="center">
      <p ALIGN="center" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="3">Vice
      Chairman of the Board,</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td width="323" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="37" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
    <td width="350" valign="top" align="center">
      <p ALIGN="center" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="3">President
      and Chief Executive Officer</font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">POWER OF ATTORNEY</p>
</b>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; KNOW ALL
MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Clarke M. Williams, Glen F. Post, III, Harvey P. Perry, and R.
Stewart Ewing, Jr., or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent
or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.</p>
</font>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to
this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.</p>
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
  <tr>
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Signature</font></p>
      <font SIZE="2">
      <hr width="98%">
      </td>
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Title</font></p>
      <font SIZE="2">
      <hr width="98%">
      </td>
    <td width="34%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Date</font></p>
      <font SIZE="2">
      <hr width="98%">
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <font SIZE="2">
      <hr>
      </font>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Clarke M.
      Williams</font></td>
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Chairman of the
      Board</font></p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">of Directors</font></td>
    <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ Glen F. Post,
    III</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Glen F. Post, III</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Vice Chairman of
    the Board</font></p>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">of Directors,
    President and</font></p>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Chief Executive
    Officer</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;<br>
      &nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ R. Stewart Ewing,
    Jr.</font></p>
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">R. Stewart Ewing,
    Jr.</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Executive Vice
    President and</font></p>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Chief Financial
    Officer</font></p>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">(Principal
    Financial Officer)</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><br>
      &nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">/s/ <font size="2">Neil A. Sweasy</font></p>
    </font>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Neil A. Sweasy</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Vice President and
    Controller</font></p>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">(Principal
    Accounting Officer)</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ Harvey P.
    Perry</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Harvey P. Perry</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">/s/ <font size="2">Jim D. Reppond</font></p>
    </font>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Jim D. Reppond</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ William R. Boles,
    Jr.</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">William R. Boles,
    Jr.</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ Ernest Butler, Jr.</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Ernest Butler, Jr.</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ Calvin Czeschin</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Calvin Czeschin</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ James B. Gardner</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">James B. Gardner</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ W. Bruce Hanks</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">W. Bruce Hanks</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ R. L. Hargrove,
    Jr.</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">R. L. Hargrove,
    Jr.</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ Johnny Hebert</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Johnny Hebert</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ F. Earl Hogan</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">F. Earl Hogan</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ C. G. Melville,
    Jr.</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">C. G. Melville,
    Jr.</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <font SIZE="2">
    <td width="33%" align="center" valign="top">
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
      <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">/s/ Virginia Boulet</font></p>
    <font SIZE="2">
    <hr>
    </font>
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Virginia Boulet</font></td>
  <td width="33%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">Director</font></td>
  <td width="34%" align="center" valign="middle">
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;
    <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="2">May 24</font><font size="2">, 2002</font></td>
  </tr>
  </table>

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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form_s8.htm", "secsgml_size_bytes": 47275}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CENTURYTEL INC", "cik": "0000018926", "assigned-sic": "4813", "irs-number": "720651161", "state-of-incorporation": "LA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-89060", "film-number": "02662148"}, "business-address": {"street1": "P O BOX 4065", "street2": "100 CENTURYTEL DR", "city": "MONROE", "state": "LA", "zip": "71203", "phone": "3183889000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "100 CENTURYTEL DR", "street2": "P O BOX 4065", "city": "MONROE", "state": "LA", "zip": "71203"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "CENTURY TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES INC", "date-changed": "19920703"}, {"former-conformed-name": "CENTRAL TELEPHONE & ELECTRONICS CORP", "date-changed": "19720512"}]}
As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2002.    
Registration No. 333-______
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
__________
CenturyTel, Inc.
(Exact name of
registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana
72-0651161
(State or other
      jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation
      or organization)
Identification
      No.)
100 CenturyTel Drive
Monroe, Louisiana
71203
(Address, including
zip code, of
Principal Executive
Offices)
CenturyTel, Inc. 2002
Directors Stock Option Plan
CenturyTel, Inc. 2002 Management Incentive Compensation Plan
(Full title of the
plans)
__________
Harvey P. Perry
Executive Vice
President, Chief Administrative Officer,
General Counsel and
Secretary
CenturyTel, Inc.
100 CenturyTel Drive
Monroe, Louisiana
71203
(318) 388-9000
(Name, address,
including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code,
of agent for service)
Copy to:
Kenneth J. Najder
Jones, Walker,
Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P.
201 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana
70170-5100
CALCULATION OF
REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
      securities
to be registered
Amount
to be
registered
(1)
Proposed maximum
offering price
per share
Proposed maximum
aggregate
offering price
Amount of
registration
fee
Common
      Stock, $1 par value per
share
2002 Directors Stock Option
        Plan
356,000 Shares
44,000 Shares
$
29.63
(2)
$ 29.06
(3)
$ 10,548,280
(2)
$ 1,278,640
(3)
$ 970
(2)
$ 118
(3)
2002 Management Incentive
        Compensation Plan
4,500,000 Shares
$ 29.63
(2)
$133,335,000
(2)
$ 12,267
(2)
Preference
      Share Purchase Rights
4,900,000 Rights
---
(4)
---
---
(4)
Total
4,900,000 Shares
---
$145,161,920
(2)
$
      13,355
(1)
Upon a future stock split, stock dividend or
      similar transaction involving Common Stock of the Company and during the
      effectiveness of this Registration Statement, the number of securities
      registered shall be automatically increased to cover the additional
      securities in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of
      1933.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of
      calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the
      Securities Act of 1933, based on the average of the high and low price per
      share of the Common Stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock
      Exchange-Listed Stocks on May 22, 2002.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of
      calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the
      Securities Act of 1933, based upon the price at which currently
      outstanding options are exercisable.
(4)
Preference Share Purchase Rights are
      attached to and trade with the Common Stock of the Company. The value
      attributable to such Rights, if any, is reflected in the market price of
      such Common Stock. Because no separate consideration is paid for such
      Rights, the registration fee for such securities is included in the fee
      for such Common Stock.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.     Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The
following documents, which have been filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (the
"Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), are incorporated herein by reference:
(a)     The Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K
filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act");
(b)     All other reports filed by the Company with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end
of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report referred to in (a) above;
(c)     The description of the Common Stock of the Company
included in Amendment No. 2 on Form 8-A/A to the Registration Statement on Form
8-A of the Company filed on November 19, 1999 under the Exchange Act relating to
the Common Stock of the Company; and
(d)     The description of the Preference Share Purchase
Rights of the Company included in Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-A/A to the
Registration Statement on Form 8-A of the Company filed on November 19, 1999
under the Exchange Act relating to the Preference Share Purchase Rights of the
Company.
All
documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
hereto that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall, except to the extent
otherwise provided by Regulation S-K or any other rule promulgated by the
Commission, be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any
statements contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other document subsequently filed or
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4.     Description of Securities.
Not
applicable.
Item 5.     Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not
applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and
Officers.
Section 83
of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law provides in part that the Company may
indemnify any of its directors, officers, employees or agents against expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or
proceeding to which he is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party
(including any action by or in the right of the Company) if such action arises
out of his acts on the Company's behalf, and he acted in good faith not opposed
to the Company's best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
Company has the power to obtain and maintain insurance, or to create a form of
self-insurance, on behalf of any person who is or was acting for the Company,
regardless of whether the Company has the legal authority to indemnify the
insured person against such liability.
Article
II, Section 10 of the Company's by-laws (the "indemnification by-law")
provides for mandatory indemnification for its current or former directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted by Louisiana law.
The
Company's Articles of Incorporation authorize the Company to enter into
contracts with its directors and officers providing for indemnification to the
fullest extent permitted by law. The Company has entered into indemnification
contracts providing its directors and officers the procedural and substantive
rights to indemnification currently set forth in the indemnification by-law
("indemnification contracts"). The right to indemnification provided
by an indemnification contract applies to all covered claims, whether such
claims arose before or after the effective date of the contract.
The
Company maintains an insurance policy covering the liability of its directors
and officers for actions taken in their official capacities. The indemnification
contracts provide that, to the extent insurance is reasonably available, the
Company will maintain comparable insurance coverage for each contracting party
as long as he serves as an officer or director and thereafter for so long as he
is subject to possible personal liability for actions taken in such capacity.
The indemnification contracts also provide that if the Company does not maintain
comparable insurance, the Company will hold harmless and indemnify a contracting
party to the full extent of the coverage that would otherwise have been provided
for his benefit.
Item 7.     Exemption From Registration Claimed.
Not
applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
5.1
Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent,
      Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2
Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent,
      Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
Item 9.
Undertakings.
(a)     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)     To file, during any period in which offers or
  sales are being made and to the extent required by the Securities Act of 1933
  and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, a post-effective
  amendment to this registration statement:
(i)     To include any prospectus required by section
    10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or
    events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or
    the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
    the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase
    or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
    securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
    deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
    may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to
    Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent
    no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set
    forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the
    effective registration statement;
(iii)     To include any material information with
    respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
    registration statement or any material change to such information in this
    registration statement;
Provided, however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply
  if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
  those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
  pursuant to Section13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
(2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability
  under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment filed for
  such purposes shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
  the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
  time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3)     To remove from registration by means of a
  post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
  unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b)     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that,
for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceedings) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Monroe, State of Louisiana, on May 24, 2002.
CENTURYTEL,
      INC.
By:
/s/
      Glen F. Post, III
Glen
      F. Post, III
Vice
      Chairman of the Board,
President
      and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL
MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Clarke M. Williams, Glen F. Post, III, Harvey P. Perry, and R.
Stewart Ewing, Jr., or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent
or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to
this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
Clarke M.
      Williams
Chairman of the
      Board
of Directors
/s/ Glen F. Post,
    III
Glen F. Post, III
Vice Chairman of
    the Board
of Directors,
    President and
Chief Executive
    Officer
May 24, 2002
/s/ R. Stewart Ewing,
    Jr.
R. Stewart Ewing,
    Jr.
Executive Vice
    President and
Chief Financial
    Officer
(Principal
    Financial Officer)
May 24
, 2002
/s/
Neil A. Sweasy
Neil A. Sweasy
Vice President and
    Controller
(Principal
    Accounting Officer)
May 24
, 2002
/s/ Harvey P.
    Perry
Harvey P. Perry
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/
Jim D. Reppond
Jim D. Reppond
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ William R. Boles,
    Jr.
William R. Boles,
    Jr.
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ Ernest Butler, Jr.
Ernest Butler, Jr.
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ Calvin Czeschin
Calvin Czeschin
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ James B. Gardner
James B. Gardner
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ W. Bruce Hanks
W. Bruce Hanks
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ R. L. Hargrove,
    Jr.
R. L. Hargrove,
    Jr.
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ Johnny Hebert
Johnny Hebert
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ F. Earl Hogan
F. Earl Hogan
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ C. G. Melville,
    Jr.
C. G. Melville,
    Jr.
Director
May 24
, 2002
/s/ Virginia Boulet
Virginia Boulet
Director
May 24
, 2002