William "Tam" Talmage Shuford Jr.

William Talmage “Tam” Shuford, Jr. was born on November 10, 1939 in Salisbury, North Carolina to William Talmage Shuford, Sr. and Evelyn Cornelius Shuford. He was a caring and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Tam is survived by his wife of 30 years, Patricia Shuford. Left to cherish his memory are daughter Christine “Christy” LeRette, husband Charles and their daughters Cassandra and Erica, and son William Talmage “Tal” Shuford, III and his sons Wyatt and Carson, as well as his nephew Charles Hazen and niece Jessica Hazen. He was preceded in death by his sister Lynn Shuford Hazen in 2021 and his grandson, William Talmage Shuford, IV in 1999.

Tam was an outstanding student, having been a member of the National Honor Society. He was also an excellent athlete and played football, basketball and baseball until his junior and senior year at Boyden High School when he decided to focus on basketball. As a 6’ 3” guard/forward Tam received many awards for basketball, including being selected to the 1956-1957 Charlotte News 5-man squad All State team. He was named to the Greensboro Daily News 10-man team as well and led Boyden to victory in the state championship game. He received numerous offers from colleges such as North Carolina State, Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, eventually electing to play for UNC. During a game against Duke University he injured his knee requiring surgery and his college playing days were over.

After graduating from UNC, Tam attended Duke University Law School for a brief period until deciding to pursue a career in the construction industry. He worked for Wagoner Construction Company in Salisbury, NC as an estimator/project manager, handling commercial projects including office buildings, hospitals and hotels throughout the southeast.

Tam and his family moved to Winter Haven, Florida in 1968 when Wagoner Construction expanded into the Florida market. A year later, they moved the Florida headquarters to Orlando. The following year Tam took a position with Buena Vista Construction -- the construction company created by Walt and Roy Disney -- to focus on building the Magic Kingdom. He helped to oversee multiple projects, including The Hall of Presidents, The Haunted Mansion, the Polynesian Hotel and the underground tunnels (a.k.a. The Utilidors). After leaving Buena Vista Construction he teamed up with Curtis-Hale Construction in Winter Park, Florida until 1975 when he started his own construction company, focusing on residential projects.

Tam was a big cat and dog lover, often taking in neighborhood strays and sometimes nursing them back to health. He was an avid reader and loved to follow current events.

In lieu of flowers or food, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. A private service will be held by the immediate family in the near future.