William McCallister

William Anthony “Tony” McCallister, 65 of Gainesville, FL passed away peacefully on February 14, 2021 at Haven Hospice after an extended battle with cancer. Tony was born on October 10, 1955 in Stuttgart, Arkansas to the late Martha Jean Dobbins and Charles Albert McCallister. He married the love of his life, Dorothy Jean Branch on March 24, 1979. Together they have three children and ten grandchildren. Tony had a deep love for his family, especially his grandchildren who he was especially proud of. Papa loved to share pictures and stories of his grandchildren with anyone who would listen. Tony had an early start to his career in the trucking industry as an over the road driver. He enjoyed his time on the road seeing the country that he loved so much. In his mid-thirties, Tony began his career at Florida Farm Bureau as an insurance agent. Even after retirement, he considered his Farm Bureau co-workers across the state an extension of his family. In his early years, he was an avid bass fisherman and hunter who enjoyed the outdoors. Tony loved to laugh with friends while telling jokes and quoting movies. He especially enjoyed time with his friends who gathered to play music at his home. He spent a lot of his free time after his retirement catching speckled perch and playing golf at West End with his buddies. Tony is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Jean McCallister. Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Dorothy McCallister; one sister, Jeanie (Gregg) McMillian; three children, Charlie (Kristen) McCallister, Travis (Kristi) McCallister and Annie (John) Nichols; ten grandchildren, Hunter, Noah, Dalton, Riley, Malia, Cara, Austin, Eli, Jackson and Lane. The family would like to express their gratitude to Haven Hospice for the excellent care they provided to Tony during the later part of his illness. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of William A. McCallister to Haven Hospice at 4200 NW 90th Blvd Gainesville, FL 32606.