William L. Shewmaker

Source: Herald & Review

MOWEAQUA — William L. "Bill" Shewmaker 83, of Moweaqua died 11:18 a.m. Monday (Feb. 28, 2005) in St. Mary's Hospital.

Bill was born Feb. 6, 1922, in Moweaqua, the son of William Logan and Lena Moss Shewmaker. He was a member of First Christian Church and American Legion Post 370. He was an Army veteran of World War II Pacific Theater and received two Purple Hearts and the Oak Leaf Cluster. He served as area representative for Youth for Understanding for 27 years. He retired from a lifetime of farming and raising livestock in 1986. Bill's joy in life was spending time with his family, and he was a favorite of all the grandchildren. He married Melissa Carr on June 19, 1949, in Decatur.

Surviving are his wife; sons, Rodger (Dixie) Shewmaker of the Philippines; Steve (Pamela) Shewmaker and Brent (Tammie) Shewmaker, both of Moweaqua; daughter, Judy (Bill) Miller of Moweaqua; sisters, Evelyn Warnick of Alabama; Velma (Sid) Lockwood of Girard; grandchildren, Andrea (Mark) Book; Beth Shewmaker; Kiley Shewmaker and fiance Josh Argo; Josh, Daniel, Jared and Aaron Shewmaker; Nicholas and Benjamin Miller; great-grandchildren, Becky and Tyler Book; Tayler Argo; and one more expected in June.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Keith and Kenneth; and sister, Eloise Purviance.