Billy Maynard McCall (1936-2021)

MCCALL, YOUNG, BARRETT, PALMER

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 1/28/2026 at 04:57:16

From Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, Ames, Story County, Iowa.

Bill McCall
April 28, 1936 - January 19, 2021

Billy Maynard McCall was born on April 28,1936 in Belle Plaine, Iowa the son of Thomas Maynard and Elsie Fern (Young) McCall. He graduated from Boone High School in 1954. He served in the Korean Conflict in the US Navy. Bill married Carolyn Longhenry in Boone, Iowa on July 1, 1956. He received a degree from Iowa State University in Electrical Engineering in 1962. Following graduation, he worked for Honeywell Microswitch in Freeport, IL for 6 years. Bill then took a position with the Iowa Department of Transportation and enjoyed a 24 year career. After he retired from the Department of Transportation, he worked for Lockheed IMS for 1 year. Bill ended his career working for Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University for 7 years until 2001. During retirement, Bill and Carolyn worked as standardized clients with 3rd year students at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University.

Bill and Carolyn were active at Memorial Lutheran Church in Ames where he volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School superintendent, International Bible Class teacher, and Vacation Bible School volunteer. He enjoyed numerous outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, hiking, and trail riding. He also enjoyed computer technology and shortwave radio, earning his Communication Unit Leader (Com-L) certification from FEMA. Bill was active in the Story County Amateur Radio Club. Bill was also a Life Long Learner coordinator for Semester at Sea with university students from around the world.

Bill is survived by his wife Carolyn McCall; sons, Billy Maynard Jr. (Diane) McCall and their children, Amanda (Eric Barrett), Thomas Maynard (Faith and their boys Benjamin Maynard and Oliver), and Ian (Jessica Palmer); David Michael (Laura) McCall and their children, Michael, and Meghan; and Steven Matthew (ex-wife and good friend Rachel Reynolds) and their daughter Cora. Bill was preceded in death by infant daughter Susan Diane.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Memorial Lutheran Church, Ames IA or Story County Amateur Radio Club.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday July 20, 2021 at 10:00 at Memorial Lutheran Church, 2228 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014 with a time of fellow ship to follow. Billy will be laid to rest at the Iowa Veteran's Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.