Reverend Dr. William C. Callaway

Rev. Dr. Willliam C. Callaway Sr., a gospel giant, a prince among preachers, transitioned peacefully from his  earthly home to his home in Glory, Thursday, December 17, 2020. Rev. Callaway was born December 19, 1932 to the late William and Tansileen Harvey Callaway in Bluefield, Virginia.  He attended Tazwell County High School and graduated in 1952.  He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps where he served his country and received an honorable discharge in 1955.

Pastor Callaway accepted the call to serve as pastor and leader of the Mt. Olive First Baptist Church of Clairton, Pennsylvania and was installed, Sunday, November 9, 1962, fifty-eight years ago as a young man at the age of 30. A man of vision, integrity and wisdom, Rev. Callaway accepted his call to preach the gospel to every person and had a very strong commitment to serve his church and community- at- large. He was actively involved in the Clairton community serving in the following organizations:  member of the Clairton Clergy Association, elected member of Clairton School Board of Directors, Trustee Board member of Clairton City Library, Clairton NAACP, and a staunch supporter of the Clairton High School Bears Football team.   He also served as a board member on the Pastoral Care Committee of the former McKeesport Hospital, McKeesport, PA.

He was actively involved in the following religious organizations:  member and former president of the Pittsburgh Baptist Ministers Conference of Pittsburgh and Vicinity, instructor for Pennsylvania Baptist State Congress of Christian Education-15 years, president of the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention and Moderator over 28 churches in the Youghiogheny Western Baptist Association-4 years, president of Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention-6 years, and elected Clairton School Board member for 10 years.

Rev. Callaway  was the recipient of many awards:  Clairton Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year Award; NAACP Award for Outstanding Community and Civic Services; Pennsylvania School Boards Association for Outstanding Contributions to Public Education; House of Representatives for Outstanding Community Services; and recognized by the Morning Star Baptist Church of Clairton during their 95th Church Anniversary.

Rev. Callaway married the former  Melba Leona Porter on January 25, 1975, a dedicated and devoted wife and mother for the last 45 years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Leona Callaway; three children:  Conrad, Malcolm(Antonia) and Yolanda Gilliam (Tyron); six grandchildren, Ayanna, Christopher, William, Malcolm, Tyra, and Ethan, nieces, nephews, godchildren, and many sons and daughters in the ministry, his church family and friends throughout the United States.

A WALK THROUGH VIEWING WILL BE HELD AT HIS CHURCH HOME, MT. OLIVE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLAIRTON, PA ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 12PM - 8PM. PRIVATE SERVICE IS SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020. ALL VISITORS ARE ASKED TO BE MINDFUL OF SOCIAL DISTANCE GUIDELINES AND THE USE OF FACE MASKS.

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