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FUNERAL HOME

H.M. Patterson & Son-Spring Hill Chapel

1020 Spring Street NW

Atlanta, Georgia

Paul Shields Obituary

Family-Placed Death Notice

PAUL SHIELDS FORMER TELEVISION BROADCASTER Paul Shields died on September 10, 2003. He was 69 years old. Mr. Shields had an illustrious thirty-year career with WAGA-TV, most notably as a news anchor and News Director. His career began in Baltimore, Maryland where he was one of the country's youngest major market news anchors for eight years before moving to Atlanta in 1962. While at WAGA, Mr. Shields also produced and hosted a number of prime-time interviews with major newsmakers, received the Associated Press Pacemaker Award, was appointed by Rosalynn Carter to the President's Task Force on Mental Health, received the Presidential Award by the Mental Health Association of Metro Atlanta and the "Special Recognition, 20 Year Award" by the Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership. He was the 1998 recipient of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle Award. Subsequent to retirement, Mr. Shields worked as a community volunteer, which included devoting time three times weekly to the Metro Atlanta Mental Health Association, reading weekly for the blind, lobbying for the Georgia Council for the Arts, and as an active member of the Board of Community Friendship. Mr. Shields was a passionate advocate of the mentally ill. In a newspaper article published in 1986, Mr. Shields said that he hoped "to be remembered for trying to bring better understanding and patience to the area of mental health - and striving to improve the image of mental illness on the part of the people who are on the outside - many of whom are ignorant of what life is like on the inside." Mr. Shields is survived by his wife, Dale Jacobs Shields, his son and daughter in-law, William and Susan Shields, and his daughter and son in-law, Adam and Rachel Printz. The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. at Spring Hill prior to the service. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2003 at H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill Chapel. Rev. Msgr. Daniel O'Connor officiating, interment following in Crestlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Friendship, Inc., 85 Renaissance Parkway, NE, Atlanta, GA. 30308. Arrangements made by H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill Chapel. 404-876-1022.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sep. 11, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Shields

19 Entries

Johnny Johnson

February 19, 2025

He was 69 degrees

Nancy Krebs

March 16, 2017

He was my cousin, I hardly knew him....But have memories of him from my childhood. I wish I had known him better.

Nancy Krebs

DeSean Grayson

September 19, 2003

To Will & Family.

On behalf the Clear Channel Radio Group in Memphis, TN, I extend my warmest and most thoughtful prayers for you. May you all find strength in God's love as you cope with this loss.

Laura Galbreath

September 16, 2003

Dale and Family,

Please accept my condolences. I had the pleasure of working with Paul at the Mental Health Association of Metro Atlanta. He was a great volunteer who's humor and energy was a welcome addition to the office.

Tom Conn

September 16, 2003

Dear Mrs. Shields,

My mother Pat, who still lives in good old Mt. Vernon Woods, just told me of Paul's passing. I never got to talk to him that much, but I know he was a popular guy in the neighborhood and at the pool, and my late father Bill enjoyed chatting with him there.

When I was 4 or 5, Paul had a WAGA crew come to the pool and do some filming. That's when I started dreaming of getting a job in TV! Alas, it wasn't meant to be. I remember playing with your children on occasion, and even scaring Paul a few times by making big splashes inches away from him in the pool! He took it all in stride! A truly nice man.

I still can hear Paul's great baritone voice in my head, telling me school was closed due to snow! Growing up, I always felt he was a true professional at his job and was an outstanding citizen of Atlanta.

Please know that you & your family are in our thoughts.

Lester Breen

September 13, 2003

Dale,

Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your husband, Paul.

On the few occasions when I met him personally, I found him to be as warm and engaging as he appeared on the big screen.

My sympathy to your family.

Lester

Susan Shields

September 13, 2003

Dear Mrs. Shields, Rachel, William, and family,

I feel as if I'm communicating with my own family (must be the last name). I had the honor of meeting Paul in 1994 at St. Judes Church. Since my family and I watched him on Channel 5 for many years in Athens, GA, I felt as if I already knew him. When I met him at St. Judes I told him everyone always asked me if he was my father since we shared the same last name. He said, "I'd claim you you're so pretty". I told him my Dad's 79th birthday was approaching and asked him if he would write him a birthday greeting. He was so gracious. I also knew he was a true "Shields" because he had such a great sense of humor! He signed my Dad's birthday greeting with "Your long lost cuz, Paul Shields". I framed his greeting and gave it to Dad on his birthday. He enjoyed it so much. I still have it in the frame.Sadly,Dad passed away in 2001 at the age of 85. I can certainly empathize with your loss and please know you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Ed Blair

September 12, 2003

Dale,

My sincere regrets to you and the family at Paul's passing.

We shared many pleasant moments at WAGA-TV.

Several years ago we reminisced about those good ole days over lunch never suspecting it would be our last rendezvous.I kidded him once again about his unbreakable habit of winking at the viewers at the end of his nightly weather segment.In return I got another wink and big friendly smile.

Now at the end of life's journey may he rest in peace...after greeting God with a big friendly wink.

Celine Hiltz Horton

September 11, 2003

Dear Family,

My deapest sympathy I extend to you in this time of sorrow. Paul and I were friends when he was at Loyola in Baltimore and I attended Mt. Saint Agnes Girls College, an affiliate of Loyola.

I remember when Paul started at a local radio station and the rest as they say - is history! He had an illustrious career and will be greatly missed.

May God comfort and keep you.

DeAnna Mason

September 11, 2003

Will,

I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I had the opportunity to speak with him on the phone a couple of times here at the office. He was one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of talking to. My thoughts are with you and your family as you go through these difficult times. Please know that we are all thinking of you here at work and send our deepest condolences to you and your family.

kathy prescott

September 11, 2003

Dear Mrs. Shields,

I'm sorry for your loss. I had several occasions to meet you and Paul. The last time was at the birthday party of my brother-in-law Dr. John Parrino. Paul was a wonderful friend to him. John spoke of him often. I have pictures of Paul at John and Cindy's wedding ,and will always think of him fondly.

Sincerely,

Kathy Prescott

Grace Yrizarry

September 11, 2003

Dear Mrs. Shields, William, Rachel, and families,

I lived in Mt. Vernon Woods and enjoyed babysitting for you many years ago! I remember sitting at the pool on occasion and listening to Mr. Shields talk about his work-he spoke to me on an adult level which I appreciated as a teenager then. How interesting to note that while I initially went to UGA to study broadcasting, I am now a physician assistant at the state psychiatric facility in Augusta.

May you be blessed by memories of such a remarkable man-

Grace Yrizarry

Pat Sinkfield

September 11, 2003

Sorry for your lost. I Mr. Shields several years ago when he spoke at Ga. Regional Hospital. He was a wonderful man. I watched him as a child on the news.

Pat Sinkfield

September 11, 2003

Sorry for your lost. I met Mr. Shields several years ago when he spoke at Ga. Regional Hospital. He was a wonderful man. I watched him as a child on the news.

Gloria Hunter

September 11, 2003

I didn't know Mr. Shields personally but I watched him faithfully on television and always admired his fairness and the compassion and concern that he displayed while broadcasting the news. My deepest sympathy goes to the family of a great man.

James & Shon Bush

September 11, 2003

To The Family Of Paul Shields:

You guys are truly in our prayers, may God give you peace in this time of sorrow.

Kelly Erwin

September 11, 2003

Will -

Of course my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I only met your Dad once but Mark and I were fascinated by him - what a wonderful man. I saw the news story on him last night - you should be proud of all his outstanding accomplishments - I was also amazed how much you look like him - the young pictures of him behind the news desk was unbelieveable - you are the spitting image of him - I feel blessed that I got to meet him once - take care of yourself and your family -

Kelly Erwin

Dave Michaels

September 11, 2003

Ann and I were deeply saddened to hear the sad news. Our hearts go out to Paul's wife Dale, and the entire family.

Paul was a great friend and on-air partner during our years together at WAGA-TV. He was an incredible broadcast Talent, and a pleasure to know and work with. A great sense of humor. So much so, that many times he could crack me up on the air just by walking in the studio. He knew it and always chose just the right time to do so.

Goodbye Paul. It's been a pleasure knowing you! And, I'm sure you got to Heaven long before the Devil knew you were gone. (Old Irish line)

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