Willis Braswell Sheftall Jr.

December 12, 1943 - November 4, 2024

Smyrna, Georgia - Dr. Willis Braswell Sheftall Jr., 80 of Smyrna Georgia, former Provost of Morehouse College, passed away on November 4, 2024. He was born December 12, 1943, in Macon, Georgia to Mr. and Mrs. Willis B. Sheftall, Sr.

His Aunt Ethel Forbes was the wife of Morehouse athletics Director Frank Forbes who was instrumental in his entrance into Morehouse to study economics at the age of 16.

He became a well-respected economist with a particular interest in the economics of higher education, local public finance, and U.S. Economic History. Dr. Sheftall served on the Atlanta's Mayor's Council of Economic Advisors, and boards of institutions such as Fisk University, American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, Atlanta Piedmont's Hospital, and Southeastern Library Network. He departed from Morehouse briefly to teach at Alabama State University and Georgia State University.

In 1981, he accepted the positions of Chairman of the economic departments and dean of the School of Business at Hampton University. He returned to Morehouse in 1986 and returned to the classroom as a professor of economics. Dr. Sheftall became Provost from 1999 to 2013, as well as acting President In 2013.

He was a member of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, following in the footsteps of his late father, Mr. Willis Braswell Sheftall, Sr.

Dr. Sheftall served his community well with his many accomplishments and accolades. He passed away peacefully on November 4, 2024, in Smyrna, Georgia.

He was preceded in death by his late father, Mr. Willis Braswell Sheftall Sr. and his mother, Cleone Sheftall. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Willenor Sheftall,Brother Micheal Sheftall (Mae) Nephew Mark Sheftall (Lisa).

In lieu of flowers please make charitable contributions to Morehouse College in the name of Dr. Willis Braswell Sheftall, Jr.

Final arrangements are entrusted to F.L. Sims Funeral Home, Smyrna Chapel 678-424-1096.

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

Published by The Telegraph from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Willis Sheftall

14 Entries

Samuel Augustus Jennings

March 6, 2025

Farewell my friend until we meet again.

Samuel Augustus Jennings

March 6, 2025

I remember you were a brilliant student at Morehouse College. I hope you are in a better place.

R Ewing

December 18, 2024

Dr. Sheftall was instrumental and formative in shaping the lives of many a Morehouse Man. He was one of the most engaging, fun, and tough professors. Condolences to his family and wish them All The Best

Larry Taylor

November 16, 2024

Condolences goes out to the family, remember Michael from hill street when I was living on orange st Larry Taylor

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David Morrow

November 12, 2024

To the family of Dr. Willis Sheftall:
We extend our deepest sympathy to you and hope the comfort of beautiful memories of a life will lived will sustain you. I write this on behalf of a grateful Morehouse College. However the parts of the WE I represent here are the Morehouse College Glee Club and the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Delta of Georgia. Dr. Sheftall served all parts of Morehouse College with loyalty and vigor. He sang in the Morehouse College Glee Club under Dr. Wendell P. Whalum (for whom he is probably now singing). In all his administrative posts he was supportive of the Glee Club and it was always a pleasure to see him on stage singing at Glee Club Reunions and joining us on stage to sing Prayer from Lohengrin at commencements. I could always count on him for sage advice about the Glee Club and Morehouse College.
He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa and served our chapter well and we are grateful for his presence. I remember an inspiring speech he gave during a Phi Beta Kappa banquet after which students felt they were ready for Commencement. I especially remember his acknowledgment/tribute to his wife as THE one who could stand up to the "formidable mistress that is Morehouse College." We are grateful to Mrs. Willenor Sheftall (and the whole family) for sharing him with us and wishing them all peace and grace.
I never forgot that as Provost he reminded us that "Education is something you do WITH students, not TO them." We are better because Dr. Willis Sheftall passed our way!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ql_eThC8Q

Most sincerely,

David Morrow
Chair, Department of Music, Director of the Glee Club
President, Delta of Georgia Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa
Morehouse College

James Sams, Jr.

November 12, 2024

To Michael and family, news of your brother passing comes with great sorrow and pain. Losing a loved one is always painful. Even though the passing of time will help ease the pain, today I pray that Adonai will grant you and your family peace and comfort...knowing that death is not the end of our journey. P.G. Appling Class of 1964

Queen Grant Slyke

November 10, 2024

Michael, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved brother ."For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains". May the beauty of your brother´s awesome legacy remain with you forever .
Queen Grant Slyke, Classmate of 64

John E. Williams

November 10, 2024

"The moving finger writes and having written moves on, nor all of thy piety nor all thy wit, shall cancel half a line of it. " (Omar Khayyam). Dr. Willis Braswell Sheftall ("Shef") "writ" an outstanding legacy during his life, through his character, humanness and career with the academy. He demonstrated and practiced the skills of a first rate professor, an excellent, truthful and effective administrator (Under Shef's leadership, the Business Program was awarded AACSB, International Accreditation), displayed a strong interest in scholarship and encouraged the production of knowledge (manifested by his extensive review of the writings of the late Dr. Thomas Sowell, a renowned economist).

I will miss the earthly presence of Shef until the end of my "journey," as a long term colleague and close friend (my boi), we "plowed many of the same fields:" Morehouse and Georgia State University alums; concurrently appointed by the late Dr. James Hefner to the FT Morehouse College faculty in 1976; served our alma mater for 30 plus years, including academic administration and excluding our respective hiatus; retired together in 2013; Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha; inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma ( Business Academic Honor Society).

Of equal importance, independent of the bonds we shared, our "better halfs," Isa and Willanor, are Spelman-nites and have been dear friends for many years.

Isa and I convey and express our deepest sympathy and condolences to Willanor, Michael & family, Mark & family and other members of the Sheftall family. In addition, we will adhere to the suggested directive and "plant a tree" in honor of my boi. John E. Williams

Wendell Quick

November 8, 2024

Dr. Sheftall was well respected and admired as an Economic Professor at Morehouse College......God Bless!

Herman "Skip" Mason, Jr.

November 8, 2024

Dr. Willis "Butch" Sheftall brought me back to Morehouse in 2003 when he was Provost as the Director of the Learning Resource Center and College Archivist. I had worked at Morehouse from 1992 to 1999 in the History Department before going to Morris Brown. He was a phenomenal provost, leader, fraternity brother and dear friend. Take your rest Butch! What a joy to work for and with you.

Michael P. Scott

November 7, 2024

Dr. Sheftall made me into an economics major after taking his upper classman Macro class after my freshman yr as a rising sophmore. ROBERT Farmer was there taking a class to get the credit he needed to graduate after coming back from The London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE and later Demetriouse L. Russell also influenced me to want to attend. It seemed they had a conversation on a different level...different universe. It whether my appetite.

Brilliant funny always pushing you always a twinkle in the eye. He and Dr. Winstead awarded me outstanding achievement award in Economics my Junior Yr. And wrote recommendations for me to LSE where I first did a yr abroad and eventually transferred transferred graduated finishing undergrad and beginning graduate coursework.

These men Shfteall and Winstead @ Morehouse College were the kind of teachers you needed. You need smart competent professors who know their stuff and love their students. Not some former central banker or nobel laureate. I mean that's cool too. Shout out to Sir Nicholas Stern too. But these men who had a fire in the belly to create black economists and have high standards of black excellence were really what it's about.

I loved Doc and he made an indelible impact on the direction of my life. Rest in Power.

Crystal Hosey

November 6, 2024

Mr. Sheftall was in our care for 6 years. Essential Care LLC. There were many memories in which he made me laugh. Like when I wanted to cut his hair and he only wanted my son to do it. I said who do you think taught him he laughed.

Marcellus Barksdale

November 5, 2024

Dr. Sheftall, "Butch" as he was friendly called, was my college schoolmate, Glee Club brother in song, professional colleague and friend. In his professional roles, he supported my work at Morehouse. Farewell my Friend.

Arlin G. Meadows, Jr.

November 4, 2024

Dr. Sheftall was my Economics professor at Morehouse College in 1977 and a member of my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was a consummate professional and an energetic educator quick to challenge our scholarship but also witty and charismatic. Rest In Peace Dr. Sheftall, I appreciate the impact and leadership you brought to my life.

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