William F. Callahan, "Wild Bill", 87, of 68 Shore Drive, passed away peacefully at
Craneville Place of Dalton on August 10, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Pittsfield on April 21, 1926, the son of George and Annie Donovan Callahan, he attended
Dalton schools before enlisting in the U. S. Army on September 1, 1944, Private First Class until his
Honorable Discharge on April 29, 1947. After the service he worked as a laborer/ carpenter before he
was hired by Crane & Co on January 1, 1951. He retired from Crane's on May 1, 1988 after 37 years of
service as a Machine Tender in the Wahconah Mill, a true papermaker.
He married his school sweetheart, Barbara J. Pierce on August 2, 1949, and together they had four
children. She predeceased him on September 8, 2004.
Mr. Callahan took great joy in helping out all his children with projects around their homes as well as
his home on Ashmere Lake in Hinsdale, which he built in 1970. He particularly enjoyed the Fourth of
July parties at the lake with his family and friends especially when he got the chance to shoot off his
old percussion pistol.
He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church and a member of the Dalton American Legion as well as
the Dalton VFW.
Mr. Callahan is survived by two daughters, Barbara A. Adams and her husband David of Dalton,
Donna M. Connelly and her husband Robert of Hinsdale, two sons James W. Callahan and his wife
Millie of Dalton and Kevin F. Callahan of Dalton and his wife Lisa. He is also survived by a sister, Ann
Betit of Dalton.
He leaves nine grandchildren, Bill Adams and his wife Renee, Melinda Nichlen and her husband Don,
John Adams and his wife Kelly, Kelly Campbell and her husband Gary, Rick Connelly and his wife
Heather, Jamie Callahan and his wife Amy, Christopher Callahan, Jessica Paquette and her husband
Dan, and Kevin Callahan, Jr., 17 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He will be
missed by all, including his beloved dog "Inky".
In addition to his wife, Mr. Callahan was predeceased by four brothers Edward, Tommy, George and
John as well as a sister, Marie.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Craneville Place for the care they provided
to our dad the last 10 months and the support they provided to our family this past week.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for William F. Callahan, 87, of Hinsdale, who died August 10, 2013 will be held Wednesday at 10:15 AM from the DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME in Dalton followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Agnes Church celebrated by the Rev. Christopher Malatesta, pastor. Following cremation, a private burial with full military honors will take place at Main Street Cemetery in Dalton. Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 PM at the Dery-Foley Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, if you would like, donations can be made to the Hinsdale Fire Department, Dalton
American Legion or the Dalton VFW all in care of the funeral home, 890 Main Street, Dalton, MA 01226.

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