Dr. William Cornelius Shelor Jr.

Dr. William Cornelius Shelor, Jr

William Cornelius Shelor, Jr., died peacefully in his home on December 15, 2023, surrounded by his family. While our hearts are heavy and we miss him dearly, we celebrate that Neil is healed and at peace, enabling us to treasure our memories of the time we had together. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Thursday, December 21, 2023. There will be a visitation in the Parlor from 10:00 -11:15 AM and Funeral Service at 11:30 AM in the Sanctuary with Dr. David Saliba officiating.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Jane Medlock Shelor; daughter, Jennifer Lind Shelor (Homewood, AL); son, William Cornelius Shelor, III (Maria) (Dothan, AL); grandchildren, Anna Shelor McWilliams (Jack) (Dothan, AL) and William Campbell Shelor (Wuppertal, Germany) several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many friends, whom he treasured.

He was predeceased by his parents, William Cornelius Shelor and Mildred Hearn Shelor; and his parents-in-law, Olin Campbell Medlock and Minnie Lee Lasseter Medlock.

Born May 14, 1941, in Macon, Georgia, Neil grew up as an only child in nearby Barnesville, Georgia, where his father owned and operated the town's pharmacy where Neil worked during his high school years, sparking his interest in pharmacology. He graduated high school from neighboring Gordon Military College and continued his education at Auburn University where he earned his Pharmacy degree in 1963. While there he also met the love of his life, Martha Jane Medlock, while living in a basement apartment next door to her family home – they married on August 23, 1964.

Neil and Jane spent their early years together in Augusta, Georgia, while he studied at the Medical College of Georgia. Many may not realize that he was a licensed pharmacist, practicing on weekends while in school. After graduation, Neil stayed in Augusta to complete his residency in Urology. Halfway through his residency, Neil was commissioned into the US Navy as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps, stationed in Pensacola, Florida as a physician aboard the USS Lexington for two years.

In the summer of 1975, Neil established roots in Dothan, Alabama, joining the medical practice of his long-time partners, Drs. Rube Hundley, Jack Real, and Lamar Miller. He was a wonderful physician and caregiver with a passion for helping others in everything he did and an endearing bedside manner. His professional career spanned more than 53 years during which he served one year as Chief of Staff at Southeast Alabama Medical Center. He retired just before his 79th birthday.

Neil was a man of faith and service with a true heart for helping others. He was very active at the First United Methodist Church of Dothan where he enjoyed studying the bible and participating in the close-knit Chapel Communion service each Sunday. He was a long-time member of the Dothan Rotary Club, serving as President in 1990, during which time he helped the Club establish a partnership with the Wiregrass affiliate of Habitat for Humanity which continues today. While a Rotarian he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. For many years he was a member of the Houston Academy Board of Trustees, serving as the Chairman in 1985.

Family was most important to Neil and he cherished his roles as a husband, father, and grandfather - patient, giving, proud, always ready with an encouraging word, always a supporter of his family, always celebrating in their successes. He instilled confidence in others, even when they may not have had confidence in themselves.

He always loved a project, especially woodworking which he took up in his later years, producing many fine pieces of furniture. He was a loyal, dependable friend, always calling others to check in. He cherished opportunities to gather in fellowship and hospitality, especially his supper clubs including Top Gun, First Nighters, and TNT. He was a great dancer and often the life of the dance floor, especially favoring swing dancing to music from the 1950's and 60's. He always enjoyed a great joke or funny story, usually resulting in his rich, signature laugh.

Neil loved golf and traveling, especially the years he spent at Seagrove, FL as well as in Cashiers, NC. He picked up golf at an early age and was quite competitive in high school. He carried his love of golf throughout his adult years being an active member of the Church group at the Dothan Country Club.

Honorary pallbearers will be:Camp Shelor, Jack McWilliams, Bobby Bottoms, and Alan Livingston.

The family would like to thank the staff of Southern Care Hospice and all who provided compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the In Christ's Name Fund at the First United Methodist Church of Dothan, 1380 W. Main Street, Dothan, AL 36301, (334)-793-3555; The Wiregrass Area Food Bank, 382 Twitchell Rd, Dothan, AL 36303, Attention: David Hanks (dhanks@wiregrassfoodbank.com or (334) 794-9775); or a charity of your choice.