NORTH VERNON
Willie Ray Caldwell, 85, of North Vernon, passed away at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at his residence.
Born May 1, 1939, in Taylorsville, he was the son of the late Willie Clyde and Nellie Marie (Tungate) Caldwell. He married Mary Johnson on June 11, 1958, in Hope; she survives.
Willie worked as a heavy equipment operator for Golden Casting in Columbus, before retiring in 2000 after 22 years. He had previously worked for Jennings County Highway for five years; Arvin’s for one year and Amos Thompson in Edinburgh. He was a former member of Faith Chapel in Columbus and AFLCIO Union. Willie enjoyed working on cars and tractors and racing.
Surviving with his wife of 66-years, Mary; are his sons, Harold Caldwell of Salt Springs, Florida, Steve (Teresa) Caldwell of Hope, and Bart (Loretta) Caldwell and Bret Caldwell, both of North Vernon; daughters, Sandra (Ron Thompson) Eder of North Vernon and Jennifer Gates of Columbus; sisters, Katherine Lucille Bailey of Columbus; grandchildren, Megan (Patrick) Rowland of Greenwood, Jake Caldwell of Daytona, Florida, Heather (Kirk) Foster, Davey Caldwell, Stephanie Gates and David Gates, all of Columbus, Alex Caldwell, Makenzie (Gabe) Wilson, Logan Caldwell, and Whitney Eder, all of North Vernon, Nathan (Kayla) Eder of Hanover, and Jessica (Skylar) Morrow of Flat Rock; and great-grandchildren, Joseph McBride, Aiden McBride, and Aubrey Caldwell, all of Florida, Isaac Rowland, Charlotte Rowland, and Finn Rowland, all of Greenwood, Maverick Wilson and Silas Wilson, both of North Vernon, and Zarha Eder of Hanover.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joyce Sessions; and grandchild, Dustin Ray Caldwell.
A funeral service for Willie will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Dove-Sharp &Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon. The visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will follow in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.
Memorials may be made through the funeral home in honor of Willie to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
