Ronald E. "Bud" Hallam, 82, of Dallas City, Ill., died Saturday March 9, 2024, at his home.
Bud was born Sept. 4, 1941, in Streator, Ill., the son of Raleigh I. and Alice “Louise” Holt Hallam. On Nov. 18, 1961, he married Yvetta D. “Betty” Owens. She preceded him in death March 21, 2023.
He attended Woodlawn High School from where he graduated in 1960. From there he gained employment at Anthony’s. He then worked as a route truck driver for 7UP, Hostess Cakes and Dolly Madison before going to work at the Iowa ammunitions plant as a sheet metal worker, from which he retired.
He was a member of the Lions Club, NRA and was faithful to the Church of the Nazarene in Montrose.
He enjoyed challenging mind games and puzzles. He was a great student of history and enjoyed reading and sharing trivia.
Though time and talent fail us to encapsulate with simple words the greatness of a warrior charading as a man among us, yet still it has fallen to mortals the task of writing a eulogy that heaven itself would struggle to pen – a eulogy for a man of whom the world was not worthy.
As a man of work, a most diligent example of tireless movement – at the age of twenty-four building a two-bedroom home for his family that continues to outlast its builder.
As a father, chiefest among a mighty multitude, a man of few words and unnumbered acts of selfless love – giving the dregs of his energy and the preciousness of sleep to provide for a group of children that numbered six. He loved them with a love that outlasted his mortal life and there were only two greater loves than them in his heart and they were his Savior, Jesus and his wife whom he mourned, from her passing until his own.
As a friend, most joyful and true, he appreciated greatly a clever jest – himself authoring a good many that held us in great humour. We often repeat them to one another in fond remembrance.
As a lover/poet, we speak carefully, but we have read the box of letters our mother kept and he was both.
He was a shining example of what it is possible to become if one cares to strive for excellence of character for eighty-two years.
As to things he loved, he loved his Lord, his family, his work, all things history, a good laugh, words well arranged, function over form, peace in his home, excellence in work, diligence in learning – (himself a student till his last day).
His only pride and greatest joy, his family. His only failure, spelling. His greatest goal, to make heaven crowded with the faces of his family and friends.
He has fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith, he has attained, at last, his crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to him and not to him alone but to all who love the Lord’s appearing. He does not rest in peace; he worships with singing and dancing. He can breathe now, and he need never rest again.
Survivors include six children: Tammy Perkins of Carnegie, Okla., Ronda (Bob) Norris of Warsaw, Ill., Eric Hallam of Fort Madison, Colleen (Duane) Taylor of Mexico, Mo., Candi (Thomas) Kendall of Warsaw and Sarah (John) Whitaker of Dallas City, Ill.; twenty-one grandchildren: Charlotte (Brian) McCalip, Randy (Niki) Perkins, Nathan (Brooke) Perkins, Jeremiah (Tanessa) Perkins, Samuel (Taylor) Perkins, Justin (Jackie) Norris, Chad (Shelly) Norris, Katlyn (Levi) Wilson, Daniel (Bethany) Taylor, Heidi (Kevin) Brewer, Martha Taylor, Suzannah (Nathaniel) Murray, Madeline Taylor, Dustin Taylor, Clareece Kendall, Cory (Isabella) Kendall, Clayton (Samantha) Kendall, Christopher Kendall, Curtis Kendall, Asa Whitaker, Ezra Whitaker and Rhema Whitaker and twenty-five great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Also surviving is one brother: Thomas (Diane) Hallam of Streator, Ill. and one sister Glenda Piacenti of Porter, Texas.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters: Bonnie Holt, and Jean Iverson, one grandson: Devin Taylor and two sons-in-law: Chip Perkins and Steven Huffman.
Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
The funeral service for Bud will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Montrose Church of the Nazarene, Montrose, Iowa with Pastor Preston Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Carman Cemetery, Carman, Ill.
A memorial fund has been established for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Montrose Church of the Nazarene.