A method of preserving or gracefully concluding wireless calls that are dropped when service is interrupted in a wireless communication system (100) (e.g., due to poor RF coverage). When a mobile unit (108) encounters a service interruption during a call, an announcement (208) is played inviting remaining participating unit(s) to hold. After a predetermined waiting time (210, 216), if service is not re-established to the mobile unit, the remaining unit(s) are invited (218) to leave a message (e.g., voice mail) for the mobile unit and connected (220) to a messaging system (126). After message(s) are concluded, the call is ended (226) or optionally, lo continued (206) if there is more than one remaining unit. If service is recovered before the waiting time expires, a service recovery announcement is provided (214) to the remaining unit(s) and the call continues (206).