William Alfred Shirley's Obituary
William Alfred Shirley died Thursday, August 25th at Medical City Hospital, of an apparent heart attack. Bill was born in Winnsboro, Texas, on September 7, 1922, to Myrtle Irene Hanson Shirley and David Henderson Shirley. He grew up in a loving Christian home with one brother, Arthur Shirley (deceased), and two sisters, Elizabeth McWhorter (deceased) and Mary McCain, presently living in Oklahoma City, OK. He had many nicknames. His parents called him Buddy; his siblings called him Bo and his friends called him W.A. He was blessed with many happy memories with four grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Bill graduated from East Texas State College where he received a B.S. degree in Business Education. Prior to his last year of college he joined the Naval V-7 program. He was released to inactive duty so was able to return to college and finish his degree. Immediately after graduation, he was ordered to the Naval Reserve Midshipmen School at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. There he received his commission as an Ensign. After graduation from the V-7 program, he was ordered to serve on a Seaplane Tender, the USS Absecon, which operated out of Port Everglades, FL, and later from Pensacola, FL. Bill often said he and his shipmates fought the battle of Los Alamos Blvd. Throughout these years he faithfully attended the Methodist Church. When he was discharged from the Navy, he returned to Texas and was employed in Dallas with the National Service Life Insurance Company. After a year, he moved to Fort Worth to work with Houston Fire and Casualty Co. While in Fort Worth, Bill was active in many insurance organizations, the Jr. Jaycees of Fort Worth and the First Methodist Church. It was at this church where he met Jan McPherson, his wife to be, and where they were married in 1956. After several years he moved to Dallas to take a position as Claims Manager with Indiana Lumbermen Mutual Ins. Co. He and his family settled in Richardson in 1958. Bill was active at First United Methodist Church of Richardson as a Sunday School teacher, board member and a devoted member of the Pathfinders Sunday School Class. He was a 32 Degree Mason and served as Worshipful Master and Secretary for the Roy Stanley Lodge. He was a Shriner and supported their work. For all who knew and worked with him, he was always thought of as a gentleman who loved his family, church, and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 61 years, Jan Shirley, son, Mark H. Shirley and his wife Linda and two adored grandchildren, Karen and David, all of Dallas. It was his joy to be their “Poppy” and attend their school activities. He is also survived by his sister Mary McCain, devoted niece, Barbara Selvidge and her husband Glenn of Winnsboro, nephew Gary McCain and his wife Georgia of McAllister, OK, and nephew Allen McPherson of Hot Springs, AR. A Memorial Service, to celebrate this long and faithful life, will be held on Friday, August 25th at 11:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Richardson. Clayton Oliphint and Pete Robinson will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund or Youth Dept. at FUMCR.
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