A lifelong resident of North Carolina, Bill was born to William Thomas and Mabel Shearin of Franklin County on November 24, 1934. He was brother to Betty Shearin, and grew up in and around Wake Forest. After graduating from Youngsville High School in 1952, he attended the University of North Carolina before serving in the Navy as a Chaplain’s assistant from 1958-1960.
It was while in the Navy, that he met his future wife, Dorothy Noftle (“Dot”) and they were married in 1962. Bill and Dot settled in Raleigh and Bill worked as a Marketing Manager for Pine State Creamery, during which time he started his family, with his first child, Gary Thomas, born in 1964, and his second, another son, Todd Matthew, arriving in the summer of 1969. Bill worked tirelessly to provide a comfortable life for his young family. In 1974, the same year he and Dot welcomed their third child, a daughter they named Christen Heather, he put his entrepreneurial dream to work. He started a maid service which quickly grew into a commercial janitorial and floor care company that was known for excellence and personal service. Bill continued to grow and run his company, White Oak Services, for over 45 years until his retirement in 2017.
When not hard at work, Bill and his family, including Dot, his children and their spouses and partners, and later his beloved grandchildren, Brooke, Gage, Celia, Drew, and Lily enjoyed sharing good times together at the family beach house, or in the family home for the holidays. Christmas was always Bill’s favorite time of year and nothing brought him more joy than having his family around him at this special time of year. Although not an avid sportsman, Bill always enjoyed UNC Tarheels basketball, golfing with friends, walking along the beach and boating on the lake. Like his mother, Bill had a green thumb and never failed to impress one and all with his creative and meticulously maintained flowers and landscaping. A great meal was forever met with enthusiasm, and his friends and family could always rely on Bill’s eagerness to be together, loving and laughing with him over a hearty meal.
Throughout his life, Bills faith was a integral part of the man, from early beginnings in the small country church, to serving as a Chaplain’s assistant in the military, to leading Sunday School classes at First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, and later as an active member of the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian church in Cary. Bill lived a life in service of the Lord, and he always strived to exemplify Christ’s message, Love your brother as you love yourself. His loved ones would no doubt agree that in this pursuit, above all others, he excelled and never failed to spread kindness and unconditional love to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Bill’s time here has now passed, but his love, kindness, empathy, and generosity will live on in those who knew him and had the singular honor of calling him husband, Dad, Grandy, and friend.
Be at peace, and walk in peace with the Lord at last. Until we are rejoined, you are missed and you are loved.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church, 200 High Meadow Drive, Cary, NC. The family is asking everyone to please wear masks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BrownWynneCary.com for the Shearin family.
DONATIONS
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh.
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