William Edward "Bill" Callaway Jr.

William Edward Callaway, Jr. (Bill), 88, passed away on May 17, 2025. Bill was born in Danville, Virginia on January 13, 1937, to William Edward and Mary Elizabeth Callaway.

Bill graduated from Dreher High School in Columbia, SC, and then went to preparatory school in Washington DC before entering the United States Naval Academy in 1956. Upon his graduation from the Academy and pilot training, he flew C-130's for the United States Navy for five years. Following his Naval service, Bill flew and trained pilots for Delta Air Lines for over 30 years, retiring in 1997.

After his graduation from the Naval Academy, he married Marla Jean (Jeanie) Morrison Callaway (deceased), and they had three children: Elizabeth (Lisa) Callaway, William Edward (Bill) Callaway, III (Karen) and Richard Jackson (Jack) Callaway.

Some years later, Bill married Carol Awtrey Garrison and added two sons, David Merrill Garrison (deceased) and Jeffrey Holt Garrison (Jennie) to complete a very large family indeed.

Bill was dedicated to his family, his church and his community. He managed to play a lot of golf with some good friends as well.

He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Marietta where he served as both a Deacon and an Elder. He taught Sunday School and was on a variety of committees, always favoring the tasks that featured those in need of food. Thankfully he did not sing in the church choir!

In the community, Bill was always active in the Rotary Club. He was a member of the Marietta Club and then a charter member of the of the Marietta Metro Club, where he served on many committees and was president. He lived the Rotary's Four Way Test.

Even with a large family, Bill engineered trips for the family to ski, to St. Simons, to the family retreat at Tall But Trees for summer camp and to hunt and to fish. When it wasn't deer or turkey season, there was always the "Hog Killin" to attend or armadillo to slay.

Bill was predeceased in his death by his parents, his first wife, his sister Betty Harden, his son David Garrison and his grandson Holt Garrison. He is survived by his wife, four children, twelve grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and much-loved nieces and nephews.

The family wants to thank the wonderful staff at Arbor Terrace at Burnt Hickory and Trinity Hospice for their amazing care.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 2:00 at the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 form 4-6 PM at Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral home, 180 Church St, Marietta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta or the charity of your choice.