William Joe Shaw, 92, of Early, Texas passed from this life Thursday, June 13, 2019. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at Eastlawn Memorial Park, Early. A visitation will be held on Monday, June 17, 2019 from 6-7 pm, a Rosary will follow at Heartland Funeral Home Chapel.
William J. Shaw was born June 7, 1927 in Dodge City, KS to Edith Summers and later adopted by Lynn C. and Neata Ellen Shaw. The story goes that Edith was living in an apartment above Neata and Lynn’s while in Dodge City KS. Neata heard him crying and asked management to let her in and found Billy Joe in a dresser drawer with a baby bottle at only three months old. Neata took over after that and told Edith she would take care of him and Edith told her she could have him. He was adopted by the Shaws at one year old and was adopted formally in San Diego at eight years old. Billy Joe grew up in San Diego and attended Grossmont High School. He decided to be a carpenter and became an apprentice at age 18 with the San Diego Carpenters Union. He moved up to journeyman and quickly met his goal. He worked on the Sand Diego stadium, Concourse Building, Coronado Cays and the 5 year job building the Coronado Bridge as one of the foremen connecting San Diego to the Island of Coronado. Bill and Judy married in 1955 at Immaculate Conception Church in Old Town, San Diego, California. They lived there until 1974 then moved to Early, Texas where they purchased the Avalon Motel for 6 years. Bill continued to work relentlessly as a builder and Judy worked for Brownwood TV Cable until 2008.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Judy Shaw; son, Bryan Shaw of Early; daughter, Marlene Lyle-Kirkland and husband Kyle Kirkland of lake Brownwood; sister-in-law, LaVonne Hemenway of Early; daughter-in-law, Robbyn Shaw; 6 grandchildren, Erika Kirkland and spouse Julie Hamilton, Benjamen Shaw and wife Yvonne, Bronson Shaw, Nicholas Lyle, Mark Lyle and his little Rachel Shaw; step grandchildren, Jordan Stinson, Brin Stinson, Aela Stinson, Colton Stinson; 3 great grandchildren, Emery June, Atlas Alexander, Kinga Jane; and a dear family friend, Shirley Pierce.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Brett Shaw; son in law, Jack Lyle and a cousin, Cynthia Caine Morgan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to St. Jude’s children’s hospital.www.heartlandfuneralhome.net