William E. Callaway, 40, industrial fire fighter, died helping to save Catherine J. Henley, 31, housewife, and others from drowning, Holden, Missouri, July 20, 1965. At night when rapidly rising floodwaters of Blackwater Creek surrounded her sedan 240 feet beyond a bridge over the creek. Mrs. Henley climbed onto the top of the automobile with her two sons, J. Michael and Francis J., 10 and 8, respectively, and two other boys, David T. Dodson, 11, and Stephen V. Zvacek, 10. Their shouts were heard by William E. Callaway, and he took his 14 foot motorboat to the bridge, where others had gathered in the heavy rain. Charles E. Edwards offered to assist Callaway; and each removed some of his attire and put on a life jacket. Proceeding cautiously in the swift current, Callaway piloted his boat to between the automobile and a small tree. He kept the bow against the sedan while Edwards aided Mrs. Henley and the boys into the boat. As they started back to the bridge, the boat struck some floating debris, swung against the sedan and the tree, and capsized. All were thrown into the water. Edwards held Francis as they were swept downstream. Carried into some underwater brush, they were submerged and surfaced apart. Each reached a tree and clung to it. Callaway aided the others in obtaining holds on the small tree near the sedan. Mrs. Henley held David, while Callaway supported Stephen and Michael. Meanwhile others had gathered at another bridge 1800 feet downstream. Forrest L. McKeown and his son Ronald Lee arrived there with a 14-foot motorboat. Learning of the plight of the others, McKeown and Ronald, each heavily attired in rainwear, launched their boat. Before they could gain full speed, the swift current swept the craft against a tree and caused it to capsize in water 12 feet deep. McKeown and Ronald were carried 60 feet to the bridge and caught hold of its edge. Ronald made his way to the end and climbed out, very fatigued. Two men on the bridge
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