Bill Shelton was born February 12, 1927 in Wayton, Arkansas.

He attended school in Deer, Arkansas; Parthenon, Arkansas; and Rockport, Missouri.  He had a Masters Degree in vocational education.

Bill had worked since he was a little boy on a farm with his father. At the age of 15 Bill enlisted in the Navy. He served as a tail gunner in a squadron of 120 men. He loved his country very much and wanted to serve, even though he was under age.  He always said God must have had some special purpose for him and so he did as Bill and only one other made it home alive.

Bill was a vocational teacher for awhile, but spent most of his life working on airplanes, both civilian and military aircraft.  His older brother-in-law made model planes and that got him "hooked."  He was also a "Flight Engineer" in the Air Force Reserve.

Bill met his wife Kathleen in the late 1970's (about 1976 or 1977) at Van Nuys Air National Guard Base in California.  He was working there as a Jet Engine Mechanic and Kathleen was in Customer Service in personnel.  Bill and Kathleen had their first "date" (he took her out to lunch) in 1978.  They dated off and on until they had gotten serious, not long after.

Bill made Kathleen his wife in Lowell, Arkansas July 1, 1988.  They were still living in California, but didn't want a large, lavish wedding, so they flew back to Arkansas to get married (without telling any of their co-workers!).  Despite the fact that they were so many years apart, Bill and Kathleen had 15 wonderful years together. Bill was never happier!

Bill had four children that loved him very much and brought much joy to his life.

Barbara, born in 1946

David, born in 1948

Steven, born in 1949

Bruce, born in 1957 

Bill has 2 surviving brothers and one sister that also touched his life in many ways throughout his years.

 Oscar Shelton

Custer Lee Shelton

Helen Thompson 

Bill was always interested in anything mechanical, especially cars and airplanes.  He was extremely good at anything mechanical.  He could put things together without even looking at diagrams or directions.  Bill had an old Vega and put a powerful engine in it, and GAVE it to Kathleen's mother because she didn't have a car at the time.  She cried at his kindness.  

 Bill's first car was a 1941 Chevrolet, he loved it so much that he bought one like it a few years ago.  Bill and Kathleen got serious about antique cars when she inherited her father's old 1970 Cougar when he had passed away in 1993.  Kathleen's brother had not been able to sell it after their father had passed, and it was Bill's idea to get the car, which greatly relieved the family. 

Bill was raised a Christian, and loved the Lord his whole life. Bill and Kathleen were among the first members of the CCC, which had its first meeting July 3, 2000 - which ironically was 30 years to the day after Kathleen's father bought the Cougar! 

Besides the CCC, Bill and Kathleen were members of Heavenly Hounds Therapy Dogs, which is not really a Christian organization, but they looked upon it as a real ministry.  Bill had a very compassionate heart, so he was very good with everyone they visited.  He never did anything showy or glamorous, he just served God in his own quiet gentle way. 

To all of us in CCC Bill Shelton was and will always be remembered as a dear and caring friend. 

We Miss You Bill...