Wilson R. Shaw

Wilson R. "Papaw" Shaw was born December 19, 1912, in Eustace, Texas, to Frank and Della Shaw. After a brief illness, Wilson "Papaw" died at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, Texas, on November 28, 2010.

Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. today, November 29, 2010, in the chapel of Rader Funeral Home, followed by visitation from 7-8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, with Father Jesudos Thomas, Monsignor Xavier Pappu and Monsignor John Flynn officiating. Interment will follow in Kilgore City Cemetery in Kilgore, Texas.

Wilson attended Athens High School and graduated from Eustace public schools. At 20 years of age, Wilson joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. As a CCC 'boy,' he worked building roads, bridges, etc. in Patagonia, Ariz., and then at Yampa, Colo.

Upon leaving the CCC program in 1934, he began working with American Liberty Pipeline Co. He worked in the East Texas oil fields around Rhodesa, Kilgore, Conroe and Talco, Texas. While working in the Kilgore oil fields, he met Frances Hornischer. They were wed four months later on February 22, 1937.

At American Liberty Pipeline Co., he started out as a truck driver, roustabout and gauger. He was promoted to assistant district superintendent, with a move from Conroe to Talco. He was later promoted to district superintendent. He remained as district superintendent when American Liberty was purchased by American Petrofina Pipeline Co. When Petrofina sold out to Condor in 1977, he retired, although, he remained a consultant for Condor for the next seven years until Condor sold to Dorchester. At that time, he retired to care for his wife, Frances, who had developed Alzheimer's disease.

After the death of Frances, he renewed acquaintance with his high school sweetheart, Ila Wheat. They wed in April of 1993. They resided in Athens, Texas, and were active in the Eustace First United Methodist Church. After her death, he went to stay with his daughter Rita for a short while. He lived with her for 10 years, until his death. Rita was assisted in providing care for him by Linda Doggett and Madge Penny.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents and Frances and Ila, were his grandson, Frank Jordan, two sisters and four brothers.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Lois Jordan and husband, Louie, of Kilgore, Rita Reindl and Linda Weisinger and husband, Jimmie, all of Longview; son, Richard Shaw Jr. and wife, Judy, of Aurora, Colo.; brother, B.K. Shaw of Stillwater, Okla.; grandchildren, Richard Jordan and wife, Cindy, of Cleburne, Texas; Ceil Silvertooth and husband, Rusty, of Livingston, La.; Renee Jordan, of Carmel, N.Y.; Phillip Jordan and wife, Kenna, of Charlotte, N.C.; Kathy Skinner and husband, Gary, and Randle Jordan and wife, Andrea, all of Longview; Stefanie Russell and husband, Philip, of Austin, Texas; Jimmie L. Weisinger and wife, Ronda, of Longview; Lisa Lobue and husband, Logan, of Bridgeport, Texas, John Weisinger and wife, Roxsanne, and Leslie Paull and husband, Darrell, all of Longview; and Wilson Shaw III, Tim Shaw and wife, Anca, and Holly Kalmar and husband, Gabe, all of Denver, Colo.; and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com