William F. Shields

SHIELDS, WILLIAM F., 92, former United States Secret Service Agent, protected 5 Presidents, William Francis Shields, of Middletown passed away Friday at the age of 92.

He started his law enforcement career as a Massachusetts State Trooper in 1938, assigned to the North Adams and Brimfield barracks, close to his hometown of Monson, MA. In 1943, when the Secret Service needed additional agents, Mr. Shields was selected and was assigned to protecting the Roosevelt family in New York City. He was drafted in 1943 and spent two years in the Army assigned to counter-intelligence. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Sabina 'Sally' Jaworski. They married in 1948.

After the war, he rejoined the Secret Service on the White House detail and for the next 7 years was at President Truman's side. His fondest memories were of the '48 Campaign. During the Eisenhower Administration he was detail supervisor. In 1959, Mr. Shields was posted as the resident Secret Service Agent in Providence, overseeing Treasury work for the government and also responsibility for the details of President Kennedy and his family on their visits to Newport. Under Mr. Shields, the Secret Service office in Providence grew from a one man station to a Special Agent in Charge post with 6 agents and support staff. He retired in 1975 and spent 10 years as an appointee to the Rhode Island Conflict of Interest Commission. He was also an avid early morning golfer at the Green Valley Country Club.

His son, William J. lives in Wallingford, PA and is a Special Agent with the United States Customs Service. His daughter, Josephine, an artist, lives in Brookline, MA. Mr. Shields was the proud grandfather of Nicholas, 12, Thomas,10 and Isabel, 27. His wife, Sally, 90, resides in Middletown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wed., Aug. 23, 2006 at St. Mary's Church, Spring St., Newport at 9am. Burial in Bethany Cemetery, Monson, MA. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4-7pm in the O'Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St., Newport. Donations may be made in his memory to St. Mary's Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 547, Newport, RI 02840.