William "Spike" Lloyd Shannon Jr.

William “Spike” Shannon was born on October 10, 1940 to William”Bill”Lloyd Shannon, Sr. & Grace O’Neill Shannon, in Allenport, PA.

His love for adventure began at an early age as he and friends were always exploring, dreaming up ideas for extra money, making up games, and swimming in the Monongahela River. After graduating from Charleroi High School, he went to Pennsylvania State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.

Before beginning a 32 year career with IBM, he moved to the DC area to work with the National Weather Bureau. This analytical job allowed him to use his math skills & sparked his curiosity of weather data, something he continued throughout his life.

Being hired by IBM in 1964 and retiring with them in 1996 was a proud achievement for Spike. He spent the bulk of his IBM career in Federal Systems & Armed Forces, sending him and his young family to Germany for a total of 9 years between 1972 and 1983. These years would prove to be life changing and have lasting effects on everyone. Working & living in Germany gave Spike the opportunity to advance professionally while opening a door for adventures in travel all around Europe. All three of his children inherited his sense of adventure. Something he so loved about and for them.

Spike’s retirement from IBM looked like a career itself. He was goal oriented and he transferred that business approach to his post-IBM days. His personal passions of running, biking, golfing, skiing, cooking, photography, traveling, and genealogy research became his spreadsheet. About this time he began what would become a 25 year relationship with Clean & Sober Streets in DC. Spike’s commitment to helping others in recovery was some of his most rewarding service work. From simple volunteering to chairing the Board of Trustees, his support and guidance helped many. He was a busy retired man.

In 1999, Spike got an unexpected job offer from a former colleague in Germany. He quickly accepted, coming out of retirement and moving to Germany once again. His seamless transition from a large corporation to a small technology company is only one example of his adaptability and core skills. He and Christy loved living in Kronberg, Germany and for Spike to be back living and working in the Taunus Mountain area outside of Frankfurt was a dream come true. They returned home to Wrightsville Beach in 2004 where Spike quickly began to focus on golfing, biking & cooking. Another busy retirement. In 2007, he once again got a job offer in Germany, and true to his nature, he comes out of retirement and he and Christy move back to the Taunus area.

In 2011, he decided he was ready to retire again and Wrightsville Beach, NC was home until 2017 when he and Christy moved to Raleigh, NC, continuing to spend a lot of time in Wrightsville Beach. Spike often talked about one’s legacy. He leaves a rich & far-reaching one. He shared his skills & passions throughout his life, often as a role model, adviser, and advocate. Over the years, those who worked with him often used these specific descriptions. It was important to him to contribute, learn, love & have fun. He applied this to all aspects of his life. “Life is like a three- legged stool”. His wife, children, grandchildren and friends have all heard this many times. With all of his achievements, the most sacred one to him was watching his three children grow and surpass him in many areas. The high bar he set lives in them. He was so proud of them.

Spike leaves behind his best friend & wife of 36 years, Christy Adams-Shannon, of Raleigh.

Children: Becky Shannon-Spicer of Bethesda,MD, Tim Shannon & wife, Paige Van Wirt of Bethlehem, PA, Kathleen Shannon Bergaplass & Husband, Magnus Bergaplass, of Adliswil, Switzerland.

His favorite dog: Quincy Adams

Sister: Pat Hancock & husband Terry, of Wiliamsburg, VA.

Brother: Jack Shannon & wife, Karen, of Cary, NC

Grandchildren:Nate Spicer, Jeremy Spicer, Cameron Spicer, Beatrice Shannon, Bruno Shannon, Finn Bergaplass, & Emil Bergaplass.

Childhood buddy of 80 years: Chuck Colditz

Former spouse: Mary Lou Shannon of Center Valley, PA.

Former Son-in-law: Martin Spicer of Washington, DC

And many extended family, friends, and former colleagues around the world.

Our hearts are full with sadness as we mourn, but our heads are filled with permanent memories of a man that gave us life, love & laughter. You will be missed Spike Shannon.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, August 10th at his & Christy’s home in Raleigh. If you would like to stop by to share a memory, please do so between 11am - 1pm. or 5pm - 7pm.

A Celebration of Life is planned for October 8, 2023 in Bethesda, MD when we can fully share his life story and pay tribute to him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Spike’s name to Clean & Sober Streets, PO Box 77114 Washington, DC 20001, (703) 851-6838; www.cleanandsoberstreets.org

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.