William P Callahan

William Phillips Callahan Sr., 90, died Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at home following an extended illness. He was born June 21, 1918, in Portage, Pa., the second son of Charles and Grace (Coplin) Callahan. He graduated from Portage High School, attended Penn State University and several firefighting seminars and training sessions. He married Bobbye Buss on Nov. 12, 2005, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls. Mr. Callahan was inducted into the United States Army during World War II in Altoona, Pa., on April 24, 1941, and discharged June 13, 1945. He was re-inducted during the Korean War, discharged May 25, 1951. He left with the rank of Sergeant ERC.

Mr. Callahan was affiliated with the Hiram Lodge No. 616 Free and Accepted Masons, Altoona, Pa., at the level of 32nd degree. He was also affiliated with the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, Robert Anderson Camp No. 33, Waterloo. He served as State Chaplain. He enjoyed participating in several Civil War enactments, especially cannon brigades. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 360, Dumont.

During his lifetime, Mr. Callahan served as a firefighter, both as a volunteer and as a professional, rising to the rank of captain in the Altoona, Pa., Fire Department. He was a chemist at Lockheed Martin in Florida. He was employed at the International Headquarters of Tupperware in Orlando, Fla., until his retirement. Mr. Callahan moved from Florida to Cedar Falls in 2004.

Survived by: his wife, Bobbye; one son, William P. Callahan of Cedar Falls; his son's four daughters and one granddaughter; Bobbye's four children and spouses, eight grandchildren and spouses and five great-grandchildren; and Barbara's three children and spouses and four grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: his mother and father, brother Frank, first wife Margaret (DeArment), second wife Barbara (Buscemi) and her grandchild.

A private memorial service for Mr. Callahan will take place Thursday, Jan. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the home of Kim Winterhof. A private memorial will take place at a later date in Florida.

Memorials may be directed to the Cedar Valley Hospice.