MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hyde-Smith, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), King, Lee (35th), Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE MILITARY AND DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE OF WILL OWEN (BILL) MCCALLUM, FOUR-TERM MAYOR AND ALDERMAN OF NEW HEBRON, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Will Owen (Bill) McCallum went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the VA Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, on March 7, 2011, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, Will O. was born on April 22, 1917, at home on the family farm at Bowie, Simpson County, Mississippi. He attended Magee schools and graduated from high school in 1935. His family operated a logging operation for a short period of time and then continued farming on a full-time basis; and
WHEREAS, he worked for Walter Fagan Chevrolet, Magee, Mississippi, from July 1938 to November 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 7, 1941, and attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, with the 30th Infantry Division. In June 1942, he went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on October 29, 1942. He joined the 29th Infantry Division overseas for training. Their unit went ashore at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, and engaged in combat for 11 months. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and other medals and awards during his active duty military period of service; and
WHEREAS, upon being discharged from the Army at Camp Shelby, Mississippi (via Fort Nix, New Jersey), in September 1945, he joined the Army Reserves. Subsequently, he joined the Mississippi Army National Guard and served as the company commander of the 106th Engineering Battalion in Mendenhall, Mississippi. He also served with the 106th Support Battalion, Monticello, Mississippi, and transferred to Emergency Operations Headquarters (EOH) in Jackson, Mississippi, serving on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Camille in 1969. He was awarded the Mississippi Magnolia Medal in September 1969. He retired in May 1970 as Head of Supply, EOH, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; and
WHEREAS, he and his wife, Lillie Rea Butler McCallum, moved to New Hebron, Mississippi, where he worked for Berry Chevrolet in New Hebron from 1946-1964 and 1967-1968. He worked for Chester Burnham Chevrolet in Brookhaven from 1965-1967. He was employed at Hankins Chevrolet (and by the two subsequent owners, Red Caldwell and Joe Tatum) from 1968-1982. He received many awards and honors from Chevrolet, including being a member of the 100 Car Club, the Chevrolet Truck Sales Honor Club, the Chevrolet Hall of Fame, and the Chevrolet Legion of Leaders (28 years); and
WHEREAS, he was elected Mayor of New Hebron in 1981 and was reelected for four more terms. During his tenure, he secured numerous improvements for the town, including a new library, major waterline improvements, reworked the city water storage tank, secured a new artesian water well and pump, a new fire truck, an upgraded fire rating, a pigskin processing plant, t-ball/softball fields, new street signs, a senior citizen hot lunch program, and assisted in securing the Southern Pine Electric Power Association office/plant and a new grocery store. He was tireless and dedicated in his efforts to procure grants and new industry in the town he loved so much; and
WHEREAS, he was a dedicated public servant for the Town of New Hebron, as well as Lawrence County and the State of Mississippi. He was elected Alderman for the Town of New Hebron for two terms in the 1950s, served on the Lawrence County Board of Education (1957-1966), President of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce (1986-1987), appointed to the Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development Commission (1980s-2002), served on the Board of Directors for the Rankin County Family Health Center (1980s-2002), Governor's Council on Volunteerism for six years, Lawrence County Conservation Group for 8 years, charter member of World War II Memorial Society, elected to the Who's Who in Executives and Professionals (1996-1997), and was elected to the Mississippi Municipal Hall of Fame (June 2002); and
WHEREAS, he was a longtime member of New Hebron Baptist Church and enjoyed returning for services whenever it was possible after suffering a stroke in August 2002; and
WHEREAS, he often lamented there were so many projects he didn't get completed which he had planned for the town. He thoroughly enjoyed coming back as often as possible; and
WHEREAS, he was a part-time farmer in Lawrence and Simpson Counties while he was still working. After retiring from the car business in 1982, he began farming with his nephew, Walter H. McCallum, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, he looked forward to attending National Guard conventions, both the Mississippi and national events. He was a member of the "At Ease Gang." As a longtime supporter of the Ole Miss Rebels, he attended as many games as possible from the 1950s to 2002; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie Rea McCallum; a son, Hugh Butler McCallum; his parents, Eva S. and William H. McCallum; and two brothers, Walter H. McCallum, Sr., and Dodridge M. McCallum. He is survived by a daughter, Martha M. White, and her husband, Thomas G. White, of Fox Lake, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this respected veteran and public servant:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember the military service and distinguished public service of Will Owen (Bill) McCallum, former Mayor and Alderman of New Hebron, Mississippi, and extend to his surviving family the sympathy of the Legislature and the thanks of a grateful state for his service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Bill McCallum, forwarded to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of New Hebron, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.