Willard Grover Shoemaker

Willard Grover Shoemaker March 23, 1923 ~ October 3, 2009 SALEM - Willard "Bill" Grover Shoemaker passed away Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the age of 86. He was born in Seminole, Oklahoma where he grew up working on the family farm of parents, John and Nora Shoemaker, the 5th of eight children. He graduated from Varnum High School and soon married his wife, Bonnie. They celebrated 67 years together in August. Willard was a WWII veteran, 2nd lieutenant U.S. Army 146th Engineer Combat Battalion. He fought for his country at D-Day on Omaha Beach and the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action for which he gave credit and thanks to God. Bill lived in California, Arizona and Oregon, where he operated several service stations, and managed a number of furniture stores. In his retirement, he enjoyed ten years as a greeter with WalMart. He was a member of Christian Center of Salem where his grandson, Larry Murrell serves as senior pastor. He is survived by his wife Bonnie; daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Frank Murrell of Salem; son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Rosie Shoemaker of Clovis, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law, Lillian and Orvil Carpenter of Tulsa, Okla.; and sister, Betty Rogers of Shawnee, Okla.; along with 7 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by son, Charles; his parents; 3 brothers and 3 sisters. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Sat., Oct. 10 at Christian Center of Salem, 1850 45th Ave NE, Salem. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memory Gardens. Arrangements by Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors.