Born in Joplin, Missouri on May 7, 1930, Bill was the third child of William Harrison Shackelford Jr. and Louise Hutt Shackelford. With older brother John and sister Barbara, the family moved north to the Kansas City area, finally settling in the Oakwood Road brick house his grandfather built and where his mother grew up.
Bill attended Pembroke Country Day School. He was a lifer, completing kindergarten through twelfth grade, graduating in 1948. He liked his classes and did well, played basketball and football, and was a lifer in another way: he made life-long friends at school and kept them close. Next Bill attended Princeton University, joining the Class of 1952. He was a member of the Colonial Club. After college he served in the United States Navy on the aircraft carrier the Bairoko, which supported the Korean conflict.
He married Gwendolyn Nitzsche in 1955 and they had four children: Lindley, Lisabeth (Libby), Lucy and William Harrison IV (Bill).
His first job was at Merrill Lynch. What followed was a long career in banking and a closet full of gray suits. It began at First National Bank of Kansas City, where he was Senior Vice President. From there he joined United Missouri Bank and finally Mid-American Bank.
Later divorced, Bill met and then married Virginia C. Chalfant (Ginny) in 1984. They celebrated their 39th anniversary in November. Her children Kathy, John, June Anne, Melissa and Melinda embraced Bill and became part of a growing family.
All and all, Bill’s life was less about what he did and more about who he was. He was a true gentleman, a traditionalist, a believer that family and friends, community and respect for others mattered most.
His early childhood friends became his core companions. They were the groomsmen at each other’s weddings, godfather’s at baptisms, business associates, partners on the golf course, and companions during life’s social outings. But of all his dear friends, none was more so than his brother John. The two filled rooms with laughter, lunch tables with never ending conversations, and made others envious with their devotion to each other.
Bill loved his community and shared this appreciation with his wife Ginny. They were avid supporters of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Kansas City Ballet and Quality Hill Playhouse. They enjoyed their association with St. Andrew’s and St. Paul's Episcopal Churches. They were members of various clubs: the Kansas City Country Club, the River Club, the Kansas City Club and the Racquet Club. Bill was proud to serve on several boards including St. Luke’s Hospital, Sunset Hill School and St. Paul’s Episcopal School.
In his father’s obituary, it was said of Bill Jr. that “he was as well liked by the young as he was by his own age group. A frequent luncheon companion commented that whenever they met, their table was sure to be a gathering place for younger people.” It was also true of Bill III. He was approachable, a good listener, interested in those who were curious.
If not in Kansas City, Bill’s favorite place in the world was Colorado. His younger years were spent at his family’s summer house in Cascade (7,421 ft.). Later he and Ginny summered at their home at the Garden of the Gods Resort. It was a rare occurrence when Bill missed a yearly visit to the mountains; he never tired of the Pikes Peak view (14,115 ft.).
Known lovingly as Shack, Big Bill, and Snitzer by family and friends, Bill was a smart dresser and had impeccable handwriting. He had a quick wit and a quiet sense of humor. He gave generously, laughed often, was subtle in his wisdom. His blue eyes sparkled when he was enjoying himself. He was the last to leave a party, which might explain his longevity. He will be missed, and yet his presence will always be felt.
Bill is survived by his wife Virginia (Ginny) Shackelford; his brother John Hutt Shackelford (Helen); his daughters Lindley Shackelford, Lisabeth Metzler (Timothy), Lucy Shackelford (Eric Sildon) and son William Harrison Shackelford IV (Stephanie Warden); his grandsons William Harrison V (Quint), Benjamin Braxton (Ben) and John Patrick (Jake); as well as his step-children Kathy Bloch (Scott), June Anne Chalfant (Norm Neubauer), Melissa Carnes (Jim) and Melinda Chalfant. He is preceded in death by his sister Barbara Shackelford Seidlitz and his stepson John Hughes Chalfant (Katie).
A service will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 2:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, MO.
Bill’s family would like to thank Dr. Pham and the many nurses and aides at AdventHealth Hospital for their knowledge, guidance and extraordinary care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s honor to the Kansas City Ballet.
