Mr. William Horace McCallister, age 95, of Covington, Virginia, died Friday, June 14, 2013, at the Highland House, Clifton Forge, VA.
He was the husband of the late Ruth Ergenbright McCallister to whom he was married to for sixty years.
Mr. McCallister was born August 29, 1917 in Alleghany County, the son of the late George Arch and Georgianna McCallister.
He attended school in Alleghany County and received a QED Diploma from Covington High School and an Electrical Engineering Technician Diploma from ICS.
Horace served his country as a member of the United States Air Force during World War II. While in service, he graduated from Airplane Mechanic School at Keesler Field, MS and Aerial Gunnery School at Laredo, TX. Serving with the 13th Air Force in the South Pacific area, Mr. McCallister flew forty combat missions over enemy territory as a Flight Engineer-gunner attaining the rank of Tech Sergeant.
Horace received several commendations for his service and following his tour, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves, serving with the 80th Airborne Division 314th Artillery Battalion, where he attained the rank of Master Sergeant.
Mr. McCallister was employed by Westvaco Corporation for forty-four years, working in several departments until retiring as an Electrical Supervisor. He was a sixty year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Horace was a member of the Covington Volunteer Fire Department for fourteen years. He was a member of Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church since 1939.
A fifty year mason, Mr. McCallister was a past master of Covington Lodge #171 A.F & A.M., past district deputy grand master of the 23rd Masonic District, past high priest of Covington Chapter #18 Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Alleghany Commandery #23, and a member of the Kazim Temple Shrine.
Mr. McCallister is survived by a daughter-in-law, Marjorie McCallister of Chester; two grandchildren, Michael Trevor McCallister and wife, Shannon of Richmond and Marjorie Breck McCallister Ruddock and husband, Travis of Richmond; one great granddaughter, Annabelle Ruddock; caregiver, Robert "Bob" W. McCallister and wife, Winnie of Covington; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. McCallister was preceded in death by two sons, Dennis Lee McCallister in 1946 and Rev. Michael Alan McCallister in 2000; and eight siblings, Edith Hoover, Shirley Tyree, Grace Smith, Marie Hillerman, Buck McCallister, H. Hunter McCallister, O.R. ÒOttÓ McCallister and Alma G. McCallister.
A funeral service was conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 17, 2013, at Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Barry Throckmorton officiating, assisted by Rev. Edith Snedegar. Interment followed in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Graveside rites were conducted by the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Active pallbearers will be Mr. McCallister's nephews. Honorary pallbearers were masons.
The family received friends on Sunday evening at Loving Funeral Home. Masonic rites were conducted at 7:30 p.m. by the Covington Lodge #171 AF & AM.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Mountain Regional Hospice, P.O. Box 637, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 or Covington Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 588, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.
