KILLAM, CHARLES W. SR., 84, of Seekonk MA and
Narragansett RI, died peacefully Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at The
Philip Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. For 60 years, he was
the beloved husband of Isabel (Evans) Killam.
Born in Providence and raised in Saylesville, RI, he was the son of
the late Horace G. and Marcia C.(Holt) Killam and twin brother of
Rev. William H. Killam of Kansas City, MO, and the late Horace G.
(Bud) Killam of Natick, MA. After graduating from Hope High School,
he studied engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology in
Hoboken, NJ, followed by graduate work at the Harvard University
School of Engineering. A World War II Army veteran, he served as a
paratrooper in Europe in the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions.
He began his engineering career at Henry M. Soule & Co. in
Pawtucket, RI, followed by positions in construction engineering in
New Bedford and Boston, MA. After more than 25 years of service, he
retired as Treasurer and Chief Estimator of J. L. Marshall & Sons,
in Seekonk, MA in 1989.
Mr. Killam was a resident of Seekonk, MA for sixty years during
which time he was a member of the Seekonk School Committee for eight |
years and was chairman of the Building
Committees for both Newman Avenue Elementary and Seekonk High
Schools. An Eagle Scout, he served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy
Scout Troop 13 in Rumford, RI, and founded Troop 3 in Seekonk in
1959 where he was Scoutmaster for 12 years. A 32nd degree Mason, he
belonged to the Netop Lodge in Seekonk and was a Member of the
Scottish Rite, Valley of Providence, as well as the Shriners of
Rhode Island. He was a member of Church of the Epiphany (originally
Church of St. Michael and All Angels, East Providence) for 55 years,
where among other ministries he served as Senior Warden, Junior
Warden, and chairman of the Endowment, Building, and House and
Grounds committees. Mr. Killam was also a lifelong usher who was
often the first person to greet parishioners as they entered the
church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Charles W. Killam,
Jr. of Rehoboth, MA; two daughters, Amy Killam Soule of Yarmouth,
ME, and Candace Killam Hall, of Larchmont, NY; their spouses, Betsy
L. Killam, Bruce E. Soule, and Gregory J. Hall, respectively; seven
grandchildren, Matthew and Curtis Killam, Benjamin and Nathan Soule,
Whittemore, Austin and Abigail Hall, and four great-granddaughters.
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The National Archives enlistment records for Charles
Killam are unavailable. He apparently served
with the 101st Airborne Division and was transferred to Company E,
508th PIR in late 1945 or early 1946.
The only available record for Pfc Killam is
General Order 13 in 1946 awarding him the Good Conduct Medal.
However, Charles may have remained in the service, or
at least in a government service role, as he was listed as a
passenger on MATS Flight 476 which landed at McGuire AFB, NJ on 27
Sep 1950. The departure point was not shown on the
record and could not e determined. |
