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William Overton Shelmire

1930 - 2018

William Overton Shelmire obituary, 1930-2018, Dallas, TX

William Shelmire Obituary

SHELMIRE, William Overton Born January 20, 1930, in Dallas, Texas Died August 5, 2018, in Oxford, Mississippi Overton Shelmire, FAIA, attended Armstrong Elementary School and graduated from Highland Park High School in Dallas. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where he was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 1952 he attended the Pan American Conference of Architects in Mexico City with his senior class. There he sat down with Frank Lloyd Wright, who recalled his own Phi Delta Theta college days. Other extra curricular activities included designing numerous "Round-Up" floats such as the "King and Queen of Hearts" which won "Best All Round" float in the big Texas University Round-Up Parade. After graduation he served an internship with Page Southerland and Page Architects of Austin. He then served two years in the United States Army at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California, before founding Beran and Shelmire Architects with Ed Beran, FAIA, in 1958. During his fifty year career, Shelmire and his partner designed some of the most notable buildings in Dallas, including the Anatole Hotel, World Trade Center, San Jacinto Tower, Dallas Woman's Club, Junior League of Dallas, Episcopal School initial campus, Hockaday School expansion, renovation of the historic Adolphus Hotel, and restoration of the historic "Little Campus" at the University of Texas at Austin. He designed the first offices for the Dallas Cowboys in 1960, working closely with coach Tom Landry. Shelmire was elected president of the Dallas chapter of the American Institute of Architects in 1984 and was advanced to the AIA College of Fellows, a lifetime honor in recognition of his contributions to the practice of architecture. He served as chairman of the University of Texas School of Architecture Foundation Advisory Council. He was a board member of the Dallas County Heritage Society and architect to the Landmark Advisory Committee of the Park Cities Historical Society. He wrote numerous professional articles as well as his autobiographical story of growing up with his two brothers, Secrets Under the Bridge, which was a local best seller. In 1956 he married Suzette D'Ayson Shelmire, who became his beloved soul mate for 62 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mabel Battle Bunch Shelmire and Dr. Jesse Bedford Shelmire II, and by his older brother, Dr. Jesse Bedford Shelmire III. In addition to his wife, Suzette D'Ayson Shelmire, he is survived by his daughter, Claire Shelmire Crews and husband John David Crews, Jr. and their children, John David Battle Crews and Caroline D'Ayson Crews, all of Oxford, Mississippi, and son, Overton D'Ayson Shelmire and wife Mary Sowell Shelmire and their sons, Wesley D'Ayson Shelmire, William Rowland Shelmire, Thomas Christian Shelmire, and his brother Dr. David Sutton Shelmire and wife, Margaret Mullin Shelmire, all of Dallas, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. At the request of the deceased, there will be no funeral service. Memorials may be sent to: The Overton Shelmire Scholarship Fund of the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin: 310 Inner Campus Drive B7500, Austin, Texas, 78712-1009.

Published by Dallas Morning News on Aug. 8, 2018.
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In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Nakita Black

Family

December 18, 2020

He was a very sweet down to earth person a surrogate Grandfather to me I will never forget him he will always be in my heart Rest Easy God bless NakitaBlack Prince Lyles

Nakita Black

Family

December 18, 2020

He was a beautiful spirited man a surrogate Grandfather to me We appreciate all The D'Ayson and Shelmire Family has ever did for us he will truly be missed God bless you all

Nakita Black Prince Lyles

Family

November 22, 2020

John B. Danna, Jr. spoke so highly & fondly of the days he spent working with Overton at Beran & Shelmire. John was always delighted to be invited to the famous Christmas office parties after he left the firm.

John & I considered him to be a true Dallas gentleman.

Sandi Danna

August 11, 2018

He hired me out of architecture school. I have so many fond memories of that time, even when I was helping him type his book at the front desk! Being the odd bird I am, I liked to type. He would come up to me after the 70xth time with marked-up chapters, pieces of paper, white-out and cut-outs, then grin and say, "just a few little things..." It was before computers, and I didn't know how to talk him into getting a "word processor." He would often remind me how I designed the front desk. He was such a wonderful man. He had a profound impact on my life, introduced me to incredible experiences and people & memories I hope to never forget. I still have a card he gave me to go on my first trip to New York City with $2 bills in it! I never could bring myself to spend the funny $2 bills in the card so they became a part of my travel gear, and me. All of his wonderful stories. I would just look at him and say, "how do you remember all of that detail?!!" Incredible I'm so sorry to know he is no longer with us, especially for his family. I have never met another man like him. Rest in peace, dear Overton, and let perpetual light shine upon you.

Jean Marusak

Coworker

August 10, 2018

An enormous loss for Texas, Dallas, and all who knew him.
A true southern gentleman, with a quick wit, a myriad of talents, and a fine family.
Claire and Day, very sorry for your loss, and I know that your memories will bring many smiles.

David Jaderlund

August 8, 2018

What a great loss for Texas, and Dallas. A true southern gentleman, with polished wit, a quick smile, and accomplishments beyond the telling of it.
Claire and Day, very sorry for your loss, I know your memories will bring smiles always.

David Jaderlund

August 8, 2018

Long time friend - awesome memories with TX Society of Architects - Highland Park football - our family connections - will miss you ......

Donna C Pierce

August 8, 2018

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