WILLIAM NEILL CALLOWAY

WILLIAM NEILL CALLOWAY William Neill "Willie" Calloway, 74, of Oak Island passed away Friday, December 29, 2017 at his home. Willie was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina on August 10, 1943, son of the late Warren Lester Calloway and Verna Sinclair Calloway McCracken. He grew up in Hamlet, North Carolina and worked as a Locomotive Fireman for Seaboard Railroad and also worked for Ballard Distributing Company and The Coachman & Four before moving to Oak Island. His father built the Ocean Crest Pier on Oak Island and Willie worked with him for many years. While on Oak Island, Willie held many careers including manager of Oak Island Golf Course, a contractor for Beacon Construction Company Inc. working nuclear outages around the area, owner of Shucker's Restaurant, and Mr. Willie's Garden Center in Yaupon Beach. Willie was also proud to serve his community on the Oak Island ABC Board, a member of Oak Island Elks for over 25 years, and a member of VFW Post 10226. He also became a 32nd Degree Mason and was a member of the Oak Island Masonic Lodge #758. He loved beach music and won many awards for his shag dancing. In addition to his parents, Willie was preceded in death by his sister Patricia Calloway. Willie will be dearly missed by his many friends and loved ones. Survivors include his wife Wendy A. Calloway of Oak Island; step-sons, Brian G. Koyce and wife Elizabeth of Massachusetts and Steve P. Koyce and wife Kathleen of New Jersey; brother Warren Lester Calloway, Jr. and wife Linda of Raleigh; nephew, Warren Lester Calloway, III and wife Diana of Boone; niece, Jenifer Goodwin and husband Emmitt of Raleigh; four grandchildren, Owen M. Koyce, Libby A. Koyce, Abigail N. Koyce, and William B. Koyce; mother-in-law, Mary Ann Deats of Oak Island, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service Chapel. A reception will be held following the service at Turtle Island in Oak Island from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.comPeacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport.