William Charles Shuffield

1944 - 2015

Shuffield, W. Charles William Charles Shuffield, 70, of Orlando, passed away peacefully at his home on February 8, 2015, after a lengthy illness. Charlie and his wife of 45 years, Karen, moved to Orlando in 1969 a week after they married in Memphis, TN after meeting at the University of Memphis, where he attended law school. Charlie was born in Malvern, AR, on March 31, 1944. He was 2 years old before he met his dad, who was serving in WWII when Charlie was born. His formative years were filled with joyful days of sports, close family ties, church activities and a love and respect for all people. During his pre-teen years, he spent countless afternoons on the basketball court at the Boys' Club of North Little Rock, AR. The values and discipline he embraced as a young boy provided a foundation for excellence throughout his entire life. After the family moved to Louisiana, one accomplishment he cherished most was his high school basketball team's back-to-back Louisiana State Championships. He was recognized as the championship's MVP his senior year and he was added to the Louisiana All State roster his junior and senior years. Graduating from Ruston High School in 1962, he served as Student Body President and received the Good Citizenship Award. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and a delegate to Louisiana Boys' State. He was awarded basketball and baseball scholarships to attend Western Kentucky University, where he was a founding member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity and graduated cum laude in 3 years with a B.S. degree in economics and accounting. He graduated from the University of Memphis Law School with a J.D. degree in 1968. He furthered his education at the University of Miami Law School, where he earned a LL.M masters degree in taxation in 1969. He was a member of the Florida and Tennessee Bar. Upon graduation, Charlie began his career at the law firm of Akerman Senterfitt. In 1983 he was a founding partner of Zimmerman, Shuffield, Kiser & Sutcliffe; and in 2003, he was a founding partner of Shuffield Lowman. He was a founding member and president of the Orlando Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was ordained as a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Orlando in 1979. He served as president/chairman of the following community groups: Mayor's Annual Prayer Breakfast, Orlando Union Rescue Mission, Central Florida Estate Planning Council and the Rotary Club of Orlando, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. He served on many committees and boards and was the recipient of numerous community and professional honors. Charlie was a polite and kind gentleman, who always gave God the glory in everything he achieved. His law practice was his ministry and his passion was helping others. His greatest gifts were those of mercy and service. Charlie loved his family and was a devoted son to his parents, Les (2012) and Vy (2013) Shuffield. In addition to his beloved wife, Karen, he is survived by his daughters, Mary Beth Figueroa (Eric) and Cecilia Kay Reizes (Doron); grandchildren, Reese and Harrison Figueroa; brother Ron Shuffield (Anita); nieces Melissa and Allison Shuffield and nephew, Scott Shuffield. The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2015 at the Downtown Baptist Church, 120 East Pine Street, Orlando, with a service immediately following at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Jim Henry. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Orlando Union Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 2791, Orlando, FL 32802 or online at www.ourm.org.