William Charles Shaw

William “Bill” Shaw passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024 surrounded by family and loved ones.

If Bill were here, we wouldn’t have to tell you any of this because he would have already told you.

William's (Bill) life began in Des Moines, Iowa on October 20, 1942. Bill was a beloved sibling in a close-knit Catholic family of nine children.

He fell in love with his sister’s best friend, Mary Lou. Shortly after on August 1, 1964, they were married where they spent over 60 years together. While married, Bill joined the US Airforce where he proudly served for over 20 years.

While busy moving around the world, Bill and his wife Mary had 3 children, John, Julie, and Jeff.

Bill lived a life serving and to know him was to love him. Bill served in the Vietnam War in the Red Horse 819th Battalion. He served over 20 years of Active Duty where he received many awards including the AF Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters, AF Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, AF Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one battle star, AF Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After 20 years of Active-Duty service, he served in the Civil Service 3380th Transportation Squadron, the 81st Transportation Squadron where he served over 20 years retiring in 2009. Altogether, Bill served over 40 years for his country. After retiring, Bill served St. Mary’s Church cooking, mowing, and making many life-long friends, but Bill’s favorite was playing Santa Claus for the church every Christmas.

Bill loved to wake up early to meet his friends for coffee before teeing off on his favorite golf courses, Dogwood Hills and Bayou Vista. If he wasn’t golfing, he was grilling for his family and friends or deep-frying turkeys for anyone that asked. He loved to share stories with anyone and everyone.

Bill is preceded in death by his father, Hollie Shaw; his mother, Marie Shaw; his sisters, Betty Murphy and Eileen Fulton; and his brother, Bob Shaw.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Shaw; his children, John (Melanie) Shaw, Julie (Mike) Heuser and Jeff (Janette) Shaw; his grandchildren, Casey (Codie) Mendenhall, Jessica Shaw, Jonathan (Deborah) Shaw, Zach (Bailey) Heuser, Jacob Shaw, Austin (Erin) Shaw, Mackenzie Todd, Aiden Shaw, Kylie Todd and Kayden Shaw; his great-grandchildren; his sisters, Ida (Dave) Bradish, Margie Wellman and Mary Murphy; and his brothers, Rick (Evie) Shaw and Joe (Sharon) Shaw.

In lieu of flowers, families request donations in the form of a check to: Biloxi VA Volunteer Canteen Chaplain’s Fund.

A graveside service will be held at Biloxi National Cemetery on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 11:00am. Following the service, we will be having a reception at St. Mary’s Church Hall at 12:00 pm.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William “Bill” Shaw.