Shaw, William Edward
William Edward Shaw, 92, of Kidron passed away on March 5, 2020 after recently being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born in Grove City, Pennsylvania on March 30, 1927 to Lois Zahnizer Shaw and Homer Edward Shaw and lived most of his childhood in Hadley, Pennsylvania. He served in the Army Air Force in World War II. After his conversion to the Lord he felt called to the ministry and enrolled in Transylvania Bible School in Freeport, PA. Later he transferred to God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio where he graduated in 1949. There he met his future wife, June Elizabeth Yates, of Wooster Ohio. He would tell the story of when he saw June walking across campus, he told his college roommate she was the one he was going to marry. Married June 30, 1949, they celebrated 70 years together last year. She survives.
William also attended Huntington College, Huntington, Indiana and became an ordained minister with the United Brethren in Christ denomination in 1954. He pastored churches in Oil City, Pennsylvania; Steubenville, Ohio; Highland Heights Church in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania and Bethel United Brethren Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He also served as an evangelist for a short time.
While in Huntington, Indiana he was employed at the United Brethren Press. Later, he drove school bus, worked at the YMCA, helped service and install furnaces and air-conditioning for Caldwell Heating, and the Youth Development Center in New Castle, PA in addition to pastoring churches.
Very talented in carpentry and repairs, he built their home in New Castle, PA where he and June lived for 40 years before moving to Heritage Green Condos in the Kidron area. He attended the Orrville Christian & Missionary Alliance Church.
William enjoyed the outdoors – fishing, hunting, camping, gardening and flowers. He loved spontaneous trips with his family and would take short trips to different states. A favorite family memory is dad frying his potatoes for breakfast on his two burner Coleman gas camping stove. He also took an Alaskan cruise, traveled to Switzerland and participated on a mission trip to Jamaica. In later years he and June often spent winters in Florida. He had a quick sense of humor and many of the nurses who cared for him commented on his sense of humor and warm smile. And don’t forget the chocolates.
He is survived by his children: Beverly (Larry) Neuenschwander of Dalton, Ohio; Karen (Stefan) Marcuard of The Villages, FL; William Shaw Jr and friend Susan Bachner of Carnegie, PA and Robert Shaw of Lighthouse Point, FL. Eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren complete the family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Edward Shaw; a stepfather, Harold Shay; brothers, Donald and Richard Shaw; step-brother, Garth Shay; and step-sister, Donna Shay Furia.
Following family burial, a celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Mennonite Church near Kidron. An opportunity to greet the family and share a meal will follow in the fellowship hall. Spidell Funeral Home in Mount Eaton is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to Life Care Hospice. 1900 Akron Rd, Wooster, OH 44691 or the Orrville C & MA Church, 300 S Walnut St, Orrville, OH 44667.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day. 2 Timothy 2:7-8
