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Submitted: 12/5/23 • Approved: 12/8/23 • Last Updated: 12/11/23 • R1510558-G1510558-S3
William III
US Army
August 4, 1928 - December 18, 2013
William "Bill" Shaver, III 85 of Ft. Smith, died December 18, 2013.
He was born August 4, 1928 in Van Buren.
He was a member of First Lutheran Church and an Army Veteran serving overseas in Japan. Mr. Shaver worked for the Fort Smith School System from 1951 to 1985 as a Band Director.
Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Monday, December 23, 2013 at First Lutheran Church in Ft. Smith with burial to follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Ft. Smith.
Mr. Shaver is survived by his wife Virginia of the home, two daughters; Gayle Klutts of Ft. Smith, and Terri Piazza of Iola, KS; two sons; Bill Shaver IV and Mark Shaver both of Ft. Smith as well as 10 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Keith Klutts, Tony Piazza, Josh Ray, Seth Reeves, Chris Schluterman, Mike Benoit, Josh Route, and Alex Piazza.
∼
William (Bill) N. Shaver III is the son of William N. Shaver Jr. (1906-1959) and Brella E. Cupp (1908-1964) of Van Buren, Arkansas. Bill obtained his degrees in music education from Arkansas Polytechnic College and the University of Arkansas. He married Virginia Lee Baumgartner (Kollmorgen) on Sept. 2, 1951 in Russellville, AR. The couple settled in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Bill was a highly honored band director spending most of his career at Northside High School in Fort Smith. Virginia was an elementary school teacher in Fort Smith, AR. They were active members of First Lutheran Church in Fort Smith. The had four children.
Virginia
September 7, 1930 - June 5, 2022
Virginia Lee Shaver of Fort Smith, Arkansas went home to her Lord and Savior on June 5, 2022.
She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on September 7, 1930.
She was married to the late William Neely Shaver III for 62 years. She received her education at Arkansas Tech University and taught at Sutton Elementary School in Fort Smith for over 20 years. She is remembered fondly for her teaching excellence and loving concern for each student by those who were in her classroom. She followed the lives and careers of several students and maintained a loving relationship with many throughout the years.
The granddaughter of Lutheran minister Adolph Kollmorgen, she lived out her strong faith as a devoted and active member of First Lutheran Church in Fort Smith for 65 years. She served on the boards of Evangelism and Parish Education, was a member of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, choir, numerous committees, prayer and quilting groups, taught Sunday School and oversaw fundraising and renovation projects as chair of the Church Preservation Committee.
She is survived by daughter Gayle Clutts and husband Keith of Fort Smith, daughter Terri Piazza and husband Tony of Overland Park, KS, son Mark Shaver and wife Janice of Fort Smith, daughter-in-law Becky Shaver of Fort Smith and half-brother Jack Baumgartner and wife Carolyn of Prairie Village, KS. Grandchildren are Kelly Schluterman and husband Chris, Emily Benoit and husband Mike, Jill Route and husband Josh, Rachel Reeves and husband Seth, Sarah Ray and husband Josh, Alex and Emma Piazza, Mark, John and Adam Shaver and nine great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by son William N. Shaver IV and granddaughter Claire Schluterman.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 9, from 5-7:00 pm at Edwards Funeral Home, Fort Smith. Funeral will be Friday, June 10, at 9:00 am at First Lutheran Church with burial at Roselawn Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be: Mike Benoit, Alex Piazza, Tony Piazza, Josh Ray, Seth Reeves, Chris Schluterman, John Shaver, and Mark Shaver.
Photo courtesy of Frances Allen Titsworth
Contributed on 12/5/23 by Billsully060
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Record #: 1510558