William R. Calwell 1908-2015
William Riley Calwell, 107, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2015, at Aldersgate Village in Topeka.
He was born June 25, 1908, in Wetmore, and was the oldest man in Kansas at the time of his death. He went to grade school and graduated from high school in Wetmore before moving to Topeka to attend Topeka Business College and Washburn, specializing in business courses.
Bill and his wife, Doris, were married Oct. 3, 1931, and celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary before she died Oct. 26, 2007 (just one month before she turned 100). They had two sons, David (Pauline) Calwell of Topeka and Mike (Laura) of Mission; four grandchildren, Ken (Sandy) of Camas, Wash., Chris (Vicki) of Durango, Colo., Todd of Prairie Village and Cindy (Joe) of Shawnee Mission; and four great-grandchildren, Kasey, Sammy, Ella and Frankie. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Ella (both lived to be 104 and celebrated their 78th wedding anniversary), and a sister, Elsie Alderson.
Bill was employed in the Rock Island Claims Department in Topeka as a claims adjuster. His department was consolidated with Chicago Headquarters due to the Depression, and unwilling to work in Chicago, Bill's service was terminated April 1, 1932. He went to work for John Morrell and Company in Topeka, completing six years as assistant beef manager in charge of sales.
On October 1, 1937, Bill entered service of the Railroad Retirement Board, Washington, D.C., as an Adjudicator. He was promoted to District Manager of the Board's Wichita office July 1, 1939, and in June of 1956, promoted to manager of the Kansas City Regional Office. On July 1, 1963, he made Regional Director of the organization. He remained in this position for 10 years, retiring July 1, 1973.
As a 10-year-old, Bill worked as a caddie and also started playing golf, continuing to do so for more than 85 years. During his younger days, Bill was an avid tennis player, fisherman, hunter, horseshoe, billiard and cribbage player. He enjoyed writing articles for magazines and newspaper publications and has written and cataloged some 75 such compositions for ready reference.
Bill loved to travel and he and his wife visited each of the 50 states at least twice and some eight foreign countries. He has listed more than 35 golf courses in the United States and foreign countries in which he has played social and tournament golf.
Bill was a member of several civic club organizations and in July of 1939 joined the Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) in Wichita, later in Kansas City and Topeka, serving as president and chairman of the Elders. Residing at Lake of the Forest, Bonner Springs, he served as president for several years during his 40-year residency.
He has resided at the Aldersgate Village in Topeka since Aug. 1, 1995, and has been a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Topeka since 1999. Bill often commented on the spiritual inspiration from the word of the Lord motivating him to enjoy his life.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 23 at Wetmore Cemetery in Wetmore. There will be no formal visitation. Bill lie in state starting today at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. A celebration of Bill's life will be held later at Aldersgate Village (Wesley Hall).
Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ Lutheran Church or Aldersgate Village, and may be sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.
To leave a special message for the family, visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
