REIDSVILLE — Willard Kallam passed away peacefully five days following his 95th birthday and 17 days following the passing of his loving wife of 74 years at the Hospice House, surrounding by his family. He resided in his home in Wentworth for over fifty years before being moved to the Carolina House.
Mr. Kallam was born in Rockingham County, growing up in the Mayodan community, where many of his relatives and friends lived. He was the oldest son of Robert Frank and Nellie Rakestraw Kallam. He resided in Martinsville, Virginia for several years in the early 40's where he was employed by Bassett Furniture.
He retired with 27 years of service with the State Highway Department where he served as a foreman during the time prisoners worked on the highways. He never forgot the location of every pipe installed in Rockingham County. There were winter days when he had to clear snow from the county roads.
He will be remembered as a caring father, grandfather and neighbor. He was always available to share his time when needed with his daughters and grandson. He also shared his time and garden produce with others. He was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church where he enjoyed serving as a deacon and visiting the homebound. After declining health, he spent much time keeping in touch with relatives and friends by telephone. He never met a stranger. When he did, he found out where they lived, who their parents were, and who their children were.
He is survived by two daughters, Linda Murphy and J.D. of Eden and Betty Watkins and Dewey of Reidsville; grandson, Mike Watkins of Reidsville; great-grandson, Caleb; brothers, Paul Kallam and Joe Kallam of Mayodan; sisters-in-law, Mary Jereline Calder and Ed of Fayetteville. Edna Martin of Madison, Hazel Martin of Burlington; brother-in-law Bobby Martin.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Agnes Martin Kallam; sister, Margaret Kallam; brothers, Thomas Kallam, Fitzulee Kallam, Carl Kallam.
Special thanks is extended to the physicians and nursing staff at Annie Penn Hospital who made his stay comfortable; also to the dedicated staff at Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 7860 N.C. 87 N., Reidsville, NC 27320 or Hospice of Rockingham County, P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.
A funeral service will be held at Ray Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 2 p.m. Conducting the service will be Reverend Greg Robertson and Dr. Jimmy Crews. Interment will follow at Ayersville Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. prior to the service at Ray Funeral Home and other times at the residence of Betty and Dewey Watkins, 1433 N.C. Hwy 65, Reidsville.
Ray Funeral Home in Madison is serving the Kallam Family.
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