William Dan Shackelford was born to a farming family on June 1, 1927 in Rush Springs, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 4, 1946 and was honorably discharged on February 15, 1948. William went on to graduate from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma with a degree in mathematics. He and his wife both got their pilots licenses and Bill then joined the FAA flying club and flew Cessna planes. After retirement from the FAA he picked up a job working for a Virginia Singletary on her personal Learjet. Bill was a faithful and active member in his church for many years. His sense of humor and jokes will be sorely missed by his family.
