In Memory

Earl William "Bill" Shira VIEW PROFILE

Earl William Bill Shira

Earl "Bill" William Shira, III, passed away on March 26, 2016.

He was born on January 6, 1945, in Nashville, TN to the late Earl, Jr. and Betty Shira.

Bill grew up in Dodge City, Kansas, where he developed a love for cars, building things, and art. From 1969-1970, he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. When he returned, after earning a B.S. in Chemistry, he followed his heart and finished a Masters in Fine Arts, going on to teach high school art in Dodge City. In 1976, Bill married the love of his life, Joyce, and together they started a family. After moving to Arizona in 1978, Bill worked in real estate, buying and remodeling apartment buildings and houses with his father, but he never lost his love of art. He exercised his creativity on a daily basis, often drawing and painting. Bill was an amazing father who taught his daughters to value creativity and to see beauty in everything.

Later in life, Bill discovered a passion for cycling and writing, logging thousands of miles on his bike and writing several books. He was absolutely overjoyed when his grandchildren began arriving and loved nothing more than spending time with them.

In addition to his parents and his sister, Ginger Shira, Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce, on June 8, 1991.

He is survived by three daughters, Kelly Shira and her wife Nicole Pasini, Karie Shira and her husband Nathan Kiel, and Samantha Shira and her fiancé Dan Stein; three sisters, Diantha Nipple, Debi McKeighan, and Penni Tunnell; and four grandchildren, Charlee, Clementine, Henry, and Harrison. 

A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 10:00 am at the Skunk Creek Trailhead at Rio Vista Community Park (83rd Avenue just north of Country Gables). An open house will follow at Karie's home in Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to either the Peoria Public Library System or the Phoenix Children's Museum.



 
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02/07/17 12:18 PM #1    

Ronald Duane Swenson

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of my friend Bill.  I lost track of him soon after he moved to Arizona.  He was a groomsman in my wedding to Jan.    Ron Swenson

 


02/07/17 11:19 PM #2    

Alan Verne George

I’m very sorry to hear about Bill’s passing.  He and I were good friends in Grade School and Junior High.  We lost track after High School, and much to my regret, we never hooked up in any of the reunion.


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