Celebrating the life of
William Park Callahan
September 03, 1930 - March 30, 2016
William Park Callahan died March 30, 2016 at Memorial Health University Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born September 3, 1930 in La Grange, Georgia, the only child of Virginia Park Callahan and William Edgar Callahan. One of Park’s early ancestors was the chief surveyor for the new city of La Grange and his family resided there for six generations.
Park graduated from the Hackley School, Tarrytown, New York in 1948 and Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey in 1952. During the Korean War he served in the United States Army Counter Intelligence Corps in Nuremberg, Germany. After his army years, Mr. Callahan studied architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, then worked as an architect in New York City for several years before returning to Atlanta to continue his profession in that city. While there he met Aline, whom he always affectionately referred to as the love of his life. They were married in 1967. In 1976, Park and Aline moved to the historic district in Savannah, Georgia where they lived for over thirty years and where he practiced architecture until his retirement in 1997. Park was involved in historic preservation, restoring several homes for clients in the Landmark District and serving on the building committee for renovations of historic Christ Church Episcopal.
Mr. Callahan was a member of the Oglethorpe Club, Historic Savannah Foundation, the Princeton Club of Savannah and an active member of Christ Church Episcopal where he joyfully sang in the choir for many years. Also, he was a former member of the Society of Colonial Wars in Georgia.
He is survived by his wife Aline, stepdaughters Sherry Anne Shore (Philip) of Three Oaks, Michigan and Dallas, Texas and Karen Lee Roberts (Royce) of Fredericksburg, Texas and three grandsons, Jason (Carmen), Derek, and Michael. Park was very close to his first cousins and spent many happy hours working on family genealogy with them.
Park was a true southern gentleman, a wonderful man with a dry wit and a great love for learning and life. He was devoted to his wife.
A service celebrating the life of William Park Callahan will take place on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church Episcopal, 28 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia. The Reverends Michael S. White and Liam G. Collins will officiate. The burial at Bonaventure Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Christ Church Episcopal, 18 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401,
Historic Savannah Foundation,321 East York Street, Savannah, GA 31401 and
The Humane Society for Greater Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, GA 31416.
Dear Aline. We were so saddened to read about Park,s death. He was always such a bright and friendly part of our Jones Street neighborhood. And he will be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. Please know that our heartfelt sympathy is with you. We are. Sorry that we cannot attend the service, but will be thinking of you both. With love, Ramona and Howard Mackinnon.
- Ramona and Howard Mackinnon, Savannah, GA
My heart felt condolences to you and your family. May God bless, and comfort you in your time of sorrow. And may His words be of some comfort to you. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and to dwell with thee, and thy loving kingdom. God bless you and your family, all my love, Suze.
- Louis Jean Suze , Savannah , GA
We loved Park; he was a major part of our lives, as a dear friend, as our daughter's godfather, and as the architect who helped us "repurpose" 306. It is a privilege to have known him.
- The Dewart Ladies: Anna and Justice, Brunswick GA/Richmond CA, GA
Dear Aline - My heartfelt condolences. As you know, I have tremendous respect and deep affection for Park. He was a true and loyal friend and will be missed greatly. I will never forget all of those he helped in need - myself included. All my love and thinking of you while I am over here in Texas. Sincerely, Bradford Moody
- Brad Moody, Houston, Texas
Knowing Park only slightly in LaGrange, since he was a few years older, I then lost track of him for many years. But in 1981 he came back into my life in a most meaningful way. Through emails and occasional visits Park provided a rare friendship. Our symmpathy and condolences to all who cared about Park.
- Bob Gunn, Black Mountain, NC
Deepest sympathy. Park was a pleasant neighbor and occasional dinner partner at our Savannah Square dining room. It was always interesting to hear stories of his past. Everyone here is saddened to hear of Aline's loss. It is our loss as well as his family's. He had a full life and accomplished so much for Savannah.
- Marie Penney, Savannah, GA
Our condolences. Park was an intrepid member of our Jones Street neighborhood for so many years. We can still picture him strolling under the live oaks blueprints in hand. We can still hear his distinctive drawl and the little chuff of his laugh. He was a true southern gentleman.
- June Parsons and Dan Oja, Savannah, GA
Dear Aline. We were so saddened to read about Park,s death. He was always such a bright and friendly part of our Jones Street neighborhood. And he will be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. Please know that our heartfelt sympathy is with you. We are. Sorry that we cannot attend the service, but will be thinking of you both. With love, Ramona and Howard Mackinnon.
- Ramona and Howard Mackinnon, Savannah, GA
My heart felt condolences to you and your family. May God bless, and comfort you in your time of sorrow. And may His words be of some comfort to you. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and to dwell with thee, and thy loving kingdom. God bless you and your family, all my love, Suze.
- Louis Jean Suze , Savannah , GA
We loved Park; he was a major part of our lives, as a dear friend, as our daughter's godfather, and as the architect who helped us "repurpose" 306. It is a privilege to have known him.
- The Dewart Ladies: Anna and Justice, Brunswick GA/Richmond CA, GA
Dear Aline - My heartfelt condolences. As you know, I have tremendous respect and deep affection for Park. He was a true and loyal friend and will be missed greatly. I will never forget all of those he helped in need - myself included. All my love and thinking of you while I am over here in Texas. Sincerely, Bradford Moody
- Brad Moody, Houston, Texas
Knowing Park only slightly in LaGrange, since he was a few years older, I then lost track of him for many years. But in 1981 he came back into my life in a most meaningful way. Through emails and occasional visits Park provided a rare friendship. Our symmpathy and condolences to all who cared about Park.
- Bob Gunn, Black Mountain, NC
Deepest sympathy. Park was a pleasant neighbor and occasional dinner partner at our Savannah Square dining room. It was always interesting to hear stories of his past. Everyone here is saddened to hear of Aline's loss. It is our loss as well as his family's. He had a full life and accomplished so much for Savannah.
- Marie Penney, Savannah, GA
Our condolences. Park was an intrepid member of our Jones Street neighborhood for so many years. We can still picture him strolling under the live oaks blueprints in hand. We can still hear his distinctive drawl and the little chuff of his laugh. He was a true southern gentleman.
- June Parsons and Dan Oja, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
