William Carroll Shuford, Sr. passed away on October 28, 2016 and went to be with his Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 94. Bill was born on February 22, 1922 and raised in the small east Texas town of Hallsville. He was the valedictorian of his high school class and graduated with a business degree from the University of Texas in January of 1943. That was the first time they held graduation in January, because of World War II. Upon graduation, Bill joined the Navy and was sent to Northwestern University Midshipmen’s School for three months and became an Ensign. He was assigned to the amphibious Navy and made Captain of an LCT (Loading Craft for Tanks). His ship carried five Sherman tanks. He was in the 5th wave of the Invasion of Peleliu – said by historians to be the bloodiest battle in the Pacific. After the war, Bill attended Stanford University and earned a Masters of Business Administration. While attending Stanford, he met, fell in love with and married Alice Hamrick. Together they lovingly raised two sons, William and Scott. Bill had two business careers. His first began in Nashville, TN as an insurance agent. He moved to Dallas in 1962 and became a General Agent for John Hancock Life Insurance Company. He was elected president of the General Agent’s Association. In 1979, after retiring from his insurance career, he and his son, William, Jr. formed WCS Petroleum Inc., an independent oil and gas company mainly operating in the Giddings Austin Chalk field.
Bill was never at a loss for words and always had a joke to tell. He could brighten any day with his sense of humor, witty personality, and incredible storytelling. Bill was in his element with an audience and a microphone. His jokes and stories could last for thirty minutes or so, yet he never missed a beat or a punch line and always kept his audience wanting more… even well into his nineties!
His wife, Alice, passed away three years ago. He is survived by his son, William, Jr. and his wife Kathy and his son, Scott and his wife Kathi, 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the staff of Dallas Country Club and the Plaza at the Edgemere for their kindness. They would also like to especially thank Mayra Molina for her love, devotion and care. A private service will be held on Monday, October 31.
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