William Roy Shaw

If there is one group within United Airlines that “KEEPS EM FLYING” it has to be the mechanics and Bill Shaw was among the best, as attested to by having been chosen the Line Mechanic of the Month in Portland February 1990. Bill’s expertise in fabricating a sheet metal repair for a damaged portion of a tail assembly which allowed the flight to depart within about 2 hours rather than being cancelled. In addition, the award pointed out his ability to repair the cargo hoist system in the DC-8 cargo pits, which actually led to flights being routed INTO Portland for a fix on these hoist systems. The local award was submitted for consideration for System Line Mechanic of the Month, which he did receive, and then on to the system Line Mechanic of the Year. This also culminated in Bill going to San Francisco for recognition at a dinner with corporate officers. A well-deserved honor.

Bill was born in Snover, Michigan, to Roy and Mary Shaw. He attended schools in Sandusky Michigan and graduated in 1949. He joined the Navy in 1951 and was stationed in Corpus Christi Texas where he met and married Betty Jean Persons in 1953. He was transferred to Iceland in `1954. From Iceland it was on to Brunswick Georgia with a Blimp outfit. Bill was discharged in 1955 and returned to Corpus Christi where he went to work for the Navy under civil Service. Bill Betty and his daughters Debby and Shiryl moved to Portland in 1957 joining other members of his wife’s family and his 3rd daughter Cynthia was born 4 years later. Marv Law hired Bill in 1957 as a Fueler and in 1962 Bill was transferred to San Francisco where he attended Palo Alto University to obtain his A&E mechanics license. He transferred to Sea-Tac in 1966 as a Line Mechanic and returned to Portland in 1967 where things went just fine until the big layoffs in 1982, which necessitated a transfer to Honolulu Hawaii. He was recalled to Portland in 1983 where he stayed until his retirement in 1993 after 35 years plus with United Airlines.

Bill lost his wife in 1999 after 45 years of marriage. They have 3 daughters Debby, Shiryl and Cynthia(son-in-law Mitch), 4 grandsons John, Tiler, William and Matt; 2 granddaughters Jessica and Ivy, and 6 great grandkids Arianna, D’Shaedan, Tiler, Grace Olivia, Kenneth and Mac. Bill also had the privilege of living next door to the world greatest neighbors whom he would introduce to all as his 4th daughter and son, Geri and Alvin Rimes. Both households have seen each other thru all of life’s ups and downs, adventures and delights, joys and losses. No better friends or family could God have placed into each other’s lives than theirs. Bill and Betty shared a great interest in boating and their 3rd boat bigger and better than their other two was Betty’s prize possession when Bill retired. With their children they had lots of hunting, fishing and camping adventures. They would spend a whole month each year at Odell Lake fishing for Kokane. And their final years together was being able to enjoy a monthly trek with their best friends Steve and Margaret Borbley to Barlow Trail to listen to Celtic Pride and the great group of folks that Irish/Scottish music could attract.

Bill has been a member of Gateway Elks for 31 years. He is a Mason and in 1981 was Worshipful Master of Eastgate Masonic Lodge 155. They were active in Jobs Daughters and Bill was Associate Guardian. He was also a member of the Portland Valley Scottish Rite Orient of Oregon, Estacada Gun Club, and American Legion where he was a member of their Honor Guard and took great pride in participating at the funeral ceremonies for Veterans. Bill was a very patriotic and volunteering soul. He has always been active in United’s Mainliner Club and would always be seen at the retiree meetings every month.

He became a member of the NE Baptist church where he used his talents in creating cabinets, appliance enclosures and planters. His leather crafting and wood creations were only a small part of his hobbies. He has made beautiful doll bunk beds, planters, lamp bases, rocking horses, trellises and so much more. His home in NE Portland has had a full backyard full of garden vegetables up until the past 3 years but has a super shop with every conceivable tool to aid him in pursuit of his many interests. He has stored parts for up two 20 big model airplanes, had a Cessna fuselage corner to corner in his garage, has drug home some pretty sketchy OLD trucks to be road worthy…OR NOT and the best part is he has shared much of the fruits of his labors with others.

In 2000 he stepped beyond his grief and loss of his wife and started doing some “carpentry” repairs for a woman who had been attending the Retirees meetings every month even though her husband had past away. Jane Futtrell would become a light in Bill’s heart from that time until his death. He and Jane have travelled, become part of each others children’s lives and enjoyed Garage Sales, Road Finds, and great day trips around our Pacific NW.

We have lost a most amazing gifted talented kind gracious and faith-filled man. He has been a wonderful servant of our Lord, and has been involved these past few years attending the Heritage Baptist Church on SE Jenne Rd. These past few years have been difficult for Bill, as he had to give up fishing and travelling as he was on oxygen 24/7. But that did not stop his generous spirit. He faithfully gave to St. Labre Indian School in Montana and had such a heart for the children. Bill was always baking or canning something, which he shared with anyone that stopped by or it was a great excuse for him to stop and see you. Bill leaves behind not only his Daughters, Grand and Great grandchildren but also a plethora of nieces, nephews and cousins in Oregon, California and Michigan who are his heart and soul as well. Bill’s wife Betty, his Mom and Dad as well as brother Andy and Sisters Betty Eva Ida Ruth and niece Jill have all preceded him in death. Bill loved, white bread, Twinkies, coffee with sugar, smoking fish, shredded wheat, good milk, steamer clams, cherry pie, chocolate covered cherries, apricot brandy, canning, baking, fishing, building & fixing things and Country Music. And yet the NUMBER ONE most important was his love for Christ.

Viewing will be held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday July 2, 2014 at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes, 1515 NE 106th Avenue, Portland, OR 97220. A funeral service will be held on Thursday July 3, 2014 at 11:00am at the same location with a committal service to follow at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt. Scott BLVD., Portland, OR 97086. Condolences for family may be mailed to Debby Shaw, P.O. Box 524, Sandy, OR 97055.