Willis Shaw (1914-2006)

SHAW, YAHNKE, SPIVEY

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 8/20/2006 at 08:50:56

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Sunday, August 20, 2006.

Willis Shaw
Aug. 17, 1914-Aug. 6, 2006
Willis Shaw, 91, formerly of Nevada, died Sunday, Aug. 6, in Colorado. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, in Nevada Municipal Cemetery with military honors. Pastor Steve Williams of United Methodist Church will officiate.

Willis was born Aug. 17, 1914, in Bloomfield to Ed Shaw and Katie (Yahnke) Shaw. He graduated from Bloomfield High School and from the University of Iowa in 1938. He married Martha Spivey March 15, 1940. She died in 2000.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy April 7, 1943, as a commissioned ensign and began active duty in May 1943. He was one of the original Navy Seals, then called the Scouts and Raiders. He participated in the D-Day invasion of France in 1944. He retired at rank of commander in June 1966. He received many commendations from both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army during his service. He returned to civil service employment with the Naval Oceanographic Office and retired from that position in 1976 after 10 years of service.

He joined the Nevada Rotary Club in 1984 and continued as a very active member until the time he moved to Colorado. His contributions to Rotary were many, and he was named to the Rotary Hall of Fame in 1991.

He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Kathy Shaw; one granddaughter, Kristi Shaw; and one grandson, John (Heather) Shaw, all of Denver, Colo.

Bacon Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

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