Finley, III, William McCallum
The Rev. William McCallum Finley–beloved husband, father, grandfather, minister, and friend–was born in Pampa, TX, on February 2, 1946, and passed away in his home in Blacksburg, Virginia, on Oct 11, 2026.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne Torrence Finley; granddaughter Adelina Gagliano and son-in-law David Gagliano of Suffern, NY; brother Robert Finley and wife Phyllis of McKinney, TX; sister Patricia Baranouskas and husband Tom of Leavenworth, Washington; and nephews Luke Baranouskas, Brad Baranouskas, Will Finley, Brett Finley, Clay Torrence, and niece Deanna Torrence Rogers. He was preceded in death by his daughter Anne Finley Gagliano and his parents Nelwyn Fargeson Finley and William M. Finley, Jr.
Bill grew up on a farm in Antlers, OK, where his family ran a feed and seed store. In 1968 he graduated from Oklahoma State University where he majored in sociology. After college he joined the Navy and was stationed at the Naval Air Station (NAS), Kingsville, TX, and NAS Sigonella, Sicily, Italy. Upon discharge, Bill entered Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and graduated in 1975. He later earned a Master of Science in family relations and child development with an emphasis in gerontology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He was a clergy member of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving churches in Danville and in Harrisonburg, VA, where he established a Shepherd Center–an interfaith volunteer-driven nonprofit supporting active, independent, and engaged older adults through lifelong learning and community service.
Bill loved music and played trombone in community bands in Olney, Maryland, and Blacksburg, VA. He enjoyed being outdoors, riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway with Jeanne, his beloved wife, and taking hikes in national parks and around Blacksburg. He loved hearing and sharing stories with friends. He loved to laugh and could be quite funny, but he also cared deeply about the world. He often talked about how it pained him to see people suffering. His strong faith compelled him to love others, forgive neighbor.
A memorial celebration of Bill’s life will be held on November 7 at Blacksburg United Methodist Church beginning at 10:00 am with a visitation followed by an 11:00 am worship service and a reception. Memorial gifts may be given to the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement of which Caretakers of God’s Creation is the fiscal agent; or to Blacksburg United Methodist Church; or to the Engagement Center for Creative Aging at Virginia Tech (ECCA). Write checks for ECCA to the Virginia Tech Foundation and in the memo line indicate that your check is for the Engagement Center for Creative Aging. Mail checks to ECCA, 102 Wallace Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
