Lois Arlene (Wilson) Callow

Lois Arlene (Wilson) Callow, fondly known as “Willie” by family and friends, age 98 of Kansas City, Missouri, passed peacefully to her Heavenly Home on September 17, 2025. Lois was born March 27, 1927, in West Plains, Missouri, the daughter of Bert Osmond and Ruby Esther (Widener) Wilson. Lois was united in marriage to M. Ray Callow on March 17, 1950, with five beloved children born from that union of 51 years. Ray preceded her in death on March 7, 2002. Lois was an intriguing mix of country meets city life, growing up on a farm in the Ozarks where she enjoyed the beauty of nature with all its wonder, raising her children in Kansas City and traveling the world with her husband, as he was employed with TWA for over 35 years. Lois spent most of her adult life unceasingly devoted to nurturing her children and doting on her eleven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. She enjoyed and excelled in her varied interests in cooking, gardening, sewing, embroidery and quilt work, not to mention her many collections including antiques, books, plates, rocks, and more books! After graduating from West Plains High School in 1944, Lois went on to graduate from the School of Nursing Kansas City General Hospital in 1947. She was a certified member of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps, the Visiting Nurse Association, and completed the American National Red Cross standard course in First Aid to the Injured at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. She often joked that while her nursing career was rather short-lived, her training came in handy in raising her children. Lois will be remembered as one who embraced everyone, welcoming them into her heart and home as if they were her own. Her home-spun, down-to-earth influence had a way of making everyone feel accepted and loved. She reflected her Christian faith and love for God in the way she lived, and that legacy lives on in her children and grandchildren. While “Willie” will be sorely missed, she will remain forever in the hearts of her loving family and friends. Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Ona Beth Wilson, her brother and sister-in-law, Max and Irma Wilson, her brother and sister in laws, Glen and Florence Callow, Phyllis and Charlie Hey, and her daughter in law, Debra “Deb” Callow. Lois is survived by her five children and their spouses: Arthur “Kim” Callow of Kansas City, Missouri, Leslie and Russ Wismer of Kansas City, Missouri, Andrea and Rick Hoerman of Marshfield, Missouri, Evan W. Callow of Shawnee, Kansas, and Laurel and Keith Williams of Strafford, Missouri. Grandchildren include Cody (Erin) Callow, Abbey Callow, Kristin (James) Voos, Kelli (Dane) Broadie, Seth (Erin) Hoerman, Grant (Casie) Hoerman, Kenley (Tyler) Callow-Scott, Riley Callow, Greg (Melissa) Williams, Evan Williams, Jaime (Clayton) Lile, and 20 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life memorial service is being planned for a future date.

Lois Arlene (Wilson) Callow

March 27, 1927 - September 17, 2025