More detail on this person: James DeWitt sent the following to Mike Law who sent it to The
Aviator: here is the obit for Bill as it appeared in the Mobile Register. The bold and underscored
print were my emphasis in addition to adding a few important points that were omitted in the obit.
The obit says he served "multiple" tours [I believe he served 2 tours?] his first tour was as a
ground pounder, much of his time was spent as a LRP; then he returned for a second tour as a
helicopter pilot. Not included in the obit: Bill served as president of the Alabama Battleship
Commission and was selected for inclusion in the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame. Bill was very active
in South Alabama Honor Flight and gave key support in securing the South Alabama Veterans
Cemetery.
Colonel (US Army Retired) William Edward Callender, Sr. died on January 17, 2014. He is preceded in
death by his sister Magalyne Bell, his brother Al Callender, and his son William Edward Callender,
Jr. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Bachar Callender; his three daughters Ginger (Jay)
Hawkins, Cyndi Callender and Tammy (Jeff) Hadley, 12 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He
will be deeply missed by friends and family. Known as Bill, Billy, Willy, Dad, Granddaddy, and most
often and affectionately 'THE' Colonel to family and friends, Colonel (US Army Retired) Callender
was known for his work for veterans, his service on the Battleship Commission, his decorated
military career, and his love of fishing and Alabama football. He was born in Mobile, Alabama on
September 17, 1937 to Alton Brooks and Ouida Adelle (Everett) Callender; he was a graduate of Murphy
High School, Class of 1956 and the University of Alabama, Class of 1960. Colonel (US Army Retired)
Callender also has graduate degrees from Kansas State University and the University of South
Alabama. He and Jacqueline were married in 1958 and he began his military career in 1960. He served
multiple tours in Vietnam and was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, the
Soldier's Medal and the Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star Medal. He was also awarded the Gulf Coast
Veteran of the Year in 2006. After his military career, Colonel (US Army Retired) Callender moved
into a second career working at the University of South Alabama and the Baldwin County School Board.
When he fully retired, he and Jacqueline moved to Orange Beach, Alabama where he spent his time
serving on the Battleship Commission, advocating for veterans, traveling with his wife, and fishing.
The family will receive visitors to view Bill from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at Pine
Crest Funeral Home and Cemeteries, 1939 Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile. The funeral service will
be held Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 2pm at the Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship
Parkway in Mobile. Burial will follow in Pine Crest Cemetery.
Published in the Mobile Register and Baldwin County from Jan.18 to Jan. 19, 2014
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - FOX10 News has learned retired Army Colonel Bill Callender, the immediate
past president of the Battleship commission, has died. Callender died from complications related to
a recent fall, according to Executive Director of the USS Alabama Battleship Bill Tunnell. "Bill
fell last weekend off his deck and cracked two vertebrae in his neck and eventually passed away from
complications from that accident," said Tunnell. Callender was a decorated veteran who served two
tours in Vietnam. His first tour in Vietnam was as an Army ranger. He sat down with FOX10's Eric
Reynolds for The Interview in 2012 and talked about his time in the military. "The mission was to go
out and look and listen, but it was dirty and stealthy, quiet and hazardous, very hazardous," said
Callender. During his second tour, he returned as an Army helicopter pilot. "That little bitty metal
on there doesn't protect you very much, we did have armor seats up front, no armor seats in the
back, no armor in front of you, and you're just sitting or slow moving target," said Callender.
Flags are flying half-staff at the place Callender loved, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
Callender believed places like the memorial park are important reminders of our past and the cost of
freedom. Executive Director, Bill Tunnell, remembers his friend. "His leadership was absolutely
incredible. He had a huge heart but he was a great administrator and a great leader. He had a great
vision for what the park needs to be,' Tunnell. Callender will be remembered for his service and his
heart for those who've served. "I was blessed to have great men, young and old to do the missions
with...God bless them all," said Callender in 2012. Callender's close friend Hal pierce says "his
passing is a stark reminder of our mortality. he says life goes on but it ain't the same." Bill
Callender was 76
This information was last updated 05/03/2013
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