William Nelson Galloway

8/25/35 - 12/6/18

Son of William S. and Mildred E. Galloway (nee Welch)

Husband of Gail

Father to Lisa Anne Brasdovich (Jeffrey) and Ellyn Jane Galloway

Foster parent to Joshua Bruce

Brother of Robert and Gary (both deceased) and Gail Galloway Fusek

William Nelson Galloway, a pioneer of off-road motorcycle racing in Ohio, one of the smartest truck drivers on the state's byways, and a devoted, hard-working Garfield Heights family man, has passed. He was 83. Friends and family knew him as "Billy", "Stretch" to his wife, "Dad" to his girls, and "Papa" to his grandchildren. Bill Galloway was a man with an unmatchable work ethic. He labored until just a few months before his death.

Employment started at age 12 with a paper route and working at the local grocery store. At 16, he began working with his Uncle Nelson at Welch's Safe & Machinery Moving.

Bill Galloway served four years in the U.S Army at Fort Benning in South Georgia, and shocked family members by bringing back a Southern belle, Gail Chapman of Manchester, Ga., as his bride. They recently celebrated 58 years of marriage.

Upon Bill's discharge, the couple moved to Cleveland where he continued his service in the Army Reserves.

Bill continued to work with Welch's for many years. When that business shut down, he went on to work at Norris Brothers of Cleveland, from which he retired.

But that did not mean he quit working. Bill continued to drive tow trucks, transport cars, and perform maintenance at car sales lots – anything he could find to keep him busy.

Bill was also an early participant in Enduro motorcycle competitions, a precursor to motocross racing, and loved Observed Trials riding, a distinctive sport he helped introduce to Northeast Ohio – in which a competitor navigates an obstacle course without touching the ground with his feet. The family spent most weekends camping and riding – with shelves full of trophies from his many wins.

Broken bones, he said, were a minor inconvenience.

Later in life, Bill was involved with Sports Car Club of America racing, transporting cars and traveling to race tracks in and throughout the United States and Canada. He'd often go for rides, either on his bike or in the MG, listening to the radio, and – on Sundays – hoping for a Browns win. His knowledge of Ohio back roads and correct questions to Alex Trebek's answers on "Jeopardy" never ceased to amaze those around him.

Over the years, his many memberships included Teamsters Local 407, CRA Inc., a British MG car club and Trials Inc.

Bill Galloway was the oldest grandson of Andrew Galloway, a prominent Cleveland woodcarver who immigrated from Scotland in 1923. Once Andrew was an established woodcarver, the rest of the family traveled to Ohio in 1927 and created a home here. Bill Galloway traveled to Scotland several times, researching his family history, riding motorcycles, looking for Galloway cows, or watching the Isle of Man cross-country race.

"Papa" leaves behind four grandchildren – Cati, Jamie, Cody and Joey, whom he loved to tease. Michelle, Jeffrey and Jake will also miss their "Papa Stretch". He was very proud of them all.

Bill was an uncle and cousin to many. He was loved and will be missed by many.

His children offer their father one last message: "It's your turn to rest, Dad."