William "Bill" Shaw

William Lawrence Shaw, Bill, was born in Washington DC on Nov 18, 1948, to Victor and Loretta Shaw. He was the third child of the family, and he had two sisters, Suzanne and Judy. Bill’s paternal grandmother Sonia helped raise the children. The family moved to Southern California when Bill was 5. He attended several different schools. During this time Bill made several lasting friendships with Steve Martin and Bob Keble. He ultimately graduated from North Hollywood High School and then attended Pierce Jr. College where he received an AS degree. He went on to obtain his BA degree in History from Cal State University Northridge (CSUN). While attending college he became a member of the social club “Thee Committee.” This group of club brothers became and remain close friends of Bills. The club and his club brothers remained very important to him throughout his life. Bill met his future wife Lynn while attending a club party in 1970. Bill and Lynn were married on April 10, 1971, and remained married for over 53 years until his death.

After graduating from CSUN, he was drafted into the army. Bill was stationed in Germany and served as a medic. In December of that year Bill’s first son was born whom he named after his best friend Steve Martin.

When his military service was ended, he began teaching at St. Lucy’s Priory High School and continued teaching there until 1977. During that time Bill earned his teaching credential from Whittier College. It was also during this time that he was blessed with two more sons, Challice and Ryan.

In 1978 Bill began teaching math at San Fernando High School which fulfilled his greatest ambition. Bill loved teaching and helping his students to succeed. He enjoyed teaching so much that he tutored many students, neighborhood children and grandchildren. He was never too tired or too busy to help someone out. Bill retired from San Fernando in 2009. After retirement he continued to substitute teach until his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Dementia in 2017. He continued to live the best life he was able to until his death on Friday, Jan 31, 2025.

Bill had many hobbies – he loved collecting stamps, coins, Coca-Cola memorabilia and especially music. He collected an extensive record collection of over 3,000 45’s and hundreds of albums. He enjoyed coaching his sons in baseball and football. He also enjoyed attending concerts and bowling.

Bill had the opportunity to travel to many places including Europe, Italy, the Bahamas, Ireland, Scotland, Iceland, Canada, and Mexico. He also traveled throughout the United States.

Bill was preceded in death by his grandmother, father, mother, uncles, his sister Judy, and his beloved son Ryan.

He is survived by his wife Lynn, his son Steven and daughter-in-law Courtenay, and his son Challice and daughter-in-law Valerie. Bill is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Sidney, Alexandria, Braeden, Mckenna, Connor, Pearl, Noah, Harley, Ryan, Aubrey and Brooke. He is also survived by his sister Suzanne, many nieces and nephews, cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews. His family was always a source of great pride to him. He would have been humbled by the outpouring of love and respect given to him by those who knew him.