Willie Clay Caldwell, age 90, a resident of Webbville, Kentucky, formally of Salyersville, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Kings Daughter Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky.
Born October 2, 1935, in Salyersville, Kentucky, the son of the late William McKinley and Della Smith Caldwell. He was preceded in death by his sister Opal Jones and brothers, Darley Caldwell, Orbin Caldwell and Henry Caldwell.
Mr. Caldwell proudly served in the United States Navy and is a Veteran of the Korean War until being honorably discharged. He was a long-time Communication Systems Field Engineer for NASA; working in many places such as Columbia, MD, Bermuda, Greenbelt, MD, Ferndale, CA, St. Inigoes, MD and Houston, TX. During his time with NASA, he supported many programs such as Apollo, Voyager, Viking and Space Shuttle. He served as part of an Emergency Response Team that sent him all over the world to repair communication sites as needed. After retirement he returned to his beloved Kentucky where he enjoyed working at his sawmill, growing gardens, tinkering with his inventions; but most of all he enjoyed spending time with family.
Those left to mourn includes wife, Anne Keating Caldwell of Webbville, Kentucky, daughters, Keri Foster of Maryland, Melinda Caldwell of Arizona, Krista Eschke (Brian) of Missouri, Katie Whitaker of Oklahoma, son, Patrick Caldwell (Yolanda) of Maryland, sisters, Irene Downs (Bud) of Jeffersonville, Kentucky, Charlene Patton of Ashland, Kentucky, Sue Jones of Clyde, Ohio, brother, Marvin Caldwell of Clyde, Ohio, thirteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, a host of family and friends who love and miss him dearly.
Funeral services for Willie Clay Caldwell will be conducted Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM from the chapel of the Salyersville Funeral Home in Salyersville, Kentucky.
Interment will follow in the Ollie May Cemetery in Salyersville, Kentucky. Military Rites will be given by the Magoffin County Chapter D.A.V. on the day of service. The family will welcome friends Saturday, August 8, prior to funeral services. Serving as pallbearers are Willie’s grandsons: CJ Mercure, Devin Caldwell, Kylan Lewis, Dylan Caldwell, Gavin Pflegl and Tristan Garback. Honorary pallbearers are Willie’s granddaughters: Tammy Mercure, Torie Foster, Emily Ray, Jasmine Olmos-Saldivar, Heather Foster and Mia Revere and grandson Rhys Whittaker.
The Salyersville Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
www.salyersvillefuneralhome.com
