William Shockley Irby III

William Shockley Irby, III, age 86, passed away surrounded by family on March 16, 2026. Bill was born on December 1, 1939, in Vicksburg, MS and was the son of Thomas McGriff Irby and Maxine Melsheimer Irby. Bill attended St. Aloysius Catholic School, attained the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was in the Phi Tau Fraternity.

Bill met Patricia while Pat was out with friends in a convertible Cadillac at the "Dixieland" in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She winked at Bill and the rest is history. They were married for 64 years and have four children, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Bill always said "enjoy every minute because it goes by so fast. Find your purpose in life and fulfill it because that is the most important thing. And that's the truth!"

Bill worked in the pulp and paper industry for 40 years loving the people and the product. He worked his entire career to make manufacturing a safer place to work for employees, to produce a quality product for the customer and to have minimal impact on the environment. Bill was a great coach for young engineers and future leaders alike. He was a lifetime learner and the smartest person we knew.

Bill enjoyed traveling and meeting people around the world. He was always willing to try any type of food including barnacles and chicken foot soup. Bill loved dancing and notably, Elvis was his favorite singer to dance to!

An avid gardener who loved providing fresh vegetables for his family and getting a bit of dirt under his nails. He enjoyed sharing his passion of flowers with his children and grandchildren.

Bill was a strong advocate for education through the Adopt a School Program. He and Pat led the effort to build a new public elementary and high school in Choctaw County, Alabama. These schools facilitated improved learning opportunities for all children.

Bill was also a lifelong teacher volunteering with the Smokey Mountain Heritage Center, the Tremont Learning Center, and activities that promoted the environmental protection of the waters and streams of the Smokies. Bill's motto was work hard at whatever you do; "Even if you remove the beaver dam and it reappears the next day."

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Maxine Irby, and his sister, Maxine Johnston. He is survived by his brothers, Thomas and Frank Irby and his sister, Sara Jean Burke.

Visitation and the Rosary will be at the Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann in Knoxville, TN on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Catholic Church in Townsend, TN on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 10:00 am with a luncheon immediately following.

His internment will be in the Irby plot at Lower Peachtree Cemetery in Lower Peachtree, AL, at a time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America.

Bill will be remembered for his kindness, unwavering faith and love of family.