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Submitted: 10/7/21 • Approved: 10/7/21 • Last Updated: 10/10/21 • R461599-G0-S3
May 3, 1918-December 5, 1995
Beyond the sunset our dearest
“Buster”
*Photo/information, courtesy of Edith Guynes Stanley
*Obituary
Mr. Wilton Leon (Buster) Callan passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, December 15, 1995, at his home in Wheeler. With him at the time were his wife, his daughter and son-in-law, his granddaughter and her family.
Mr. Callan was a lifetime resident of Wheeler and was born on May 3, 1918. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Alexander Callan, early pioneers of Wheeler.
A graduate of Wheeler High School, he attended Texas A & M where he received military training in R.O.T.C.
He married Jessie Mabel Barnes of Briscoe on October 22, 1937 in Cheyenne, Okla.
The couple began their married life together farming and ranching on the Callan place east of Wheeler until 1945, when they moved to town. He was employed by Purina Feed Produce for 8 years, but continued to be active in working the Callan farm and ranch, sub-leasing it at various times until 1960, when it was sold to Darville Atherton.
A 32 year operator and lab technician for Ashland Chemical (formerly United Carbon) of Shamrock until he retired at 62 years of age. He also served as a labor union officer in the early years.
Buster was the first president of the Wheeler Roping and Riding Club, a long time member of the Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department, a member of Odd Fellow Lodge, a former owner of the Mustang Restaurant for 3 years, he was a member of the Wheeler Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Wheeler.
After he retired, he built a lakeside home at Cedar Lake, a private resort club of Hinton, Okla. There he was active in civic affairs and the club church.
After several years of returning to Wheeler for business affairs, holidays, etc., he sold the Cedar Lake home and returned to their home in Wheeler, due to his wife's health.
A man of his word, he believed it was his land and felt that a person was only as good as their word. He loved the Lord and will be loved and missed by a host of friends and relatives.
Funeral services were conducted at First Baptist Church of Dec. 18, 1995 at 1:00 p.m. Ministers for the service were Rev. M.B. Smith of Pampa and Rev. Rex Newkirk of Grand Junction, Colorado. Musicians were Mrs. Sylvia Shuler, organist, and Mrs. Joetta Sword, pianist of Wheeler. Special music was sung by Jerry and Jorjann Davis of the church. They sang "Beyond the Sunset" and "If we Never Meet Again." A poem written by Mr. Callan's daughter in 1981 was recited by Jorjann Davis. His favorite song was Lilly of the Valley and it was sang by the entire congregation. Concluding the service was a tape by Vince Gill, "Go Rest High On That Mountain."
Pallbearers were Brent Lee Callan, Jay Kinnard, Monty Kinnard, Shawn Miller, Jason Miller, and Marvin Dale Barker. Honorary pallbearers were Wade Callan, Dale Hagerman, Clint Miller, Mark Pinkert, Glenn Schapveld, and Jim Tolley.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, 4 brothers and 5 sisters.
(Published in The Wheeler Times, December 21, 1995)
Contributed on 10/7/21
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Record #: 461599