William L. Shea

William L. Shea, loving family man, passed away peacefully in his sleep in Edmond, Oklahoma on June 20, 2020. Bill was born to William and Florence Shea, on July 24th 1934 in Mt. Vernon Illinois. Bill (or "Billy" as his childhood friends called him), grew up playing football and basketball in his high school years, and even won the soapbox derby in his hometown and was in the newspaper, a moment for which he was very proud and spoke of often. At about the age of 22, Bill entered the Army and honorably served for two years, some of which he served as an occupational troop overseas in Germany. Upon his return, Bill attended and graduated from, Southern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in business and finance. He was a proud Saluki and a member of the TKE fraternity. In March of 1962, Bill married long time love, Linda R. Dycus. Bill and Linda welcomed two daughters shortly thereafter. In 1969, Bill moved his family to Oklahoma to pursue a career with Balon Corporation making quality oil valves and became Vice President and general manager. Bill retired in 2003 and spent several of his years of retirement spending time with his loving wife and family. Bill had a very playful and humorous nature, and was very much a people person, always seeking to be around people and tell a good joke. Bill was not above putting on a silly mask, or doing a little dance to his beloved Frank Sinatra, just to get a good laugh.Bill was preceded in death by his Father, Mother, and sister Evalou O'Mally. Bill was a devoted family man and is survived by his wife, Linda R. Shea and his two children, Julie Ann Shea, and Mary Elizabeth Bunger, followed by six grandchildren; Shea Brown, Chase Eck, Jordan Eck, Ali Bunger, Cassidy Bunger, and Connor Bunger., and has four great grandchildren; Raegan Eck, Maddox Eck, Silas Brown, and Zaine Satterfield.Bill had many friends, but some were special whom he knew virtually from birth to death. They are: John Cross, Norma Fairchild, Bill Shields, Jim Jackson, and Carlie Houseworth. You may donate to Mount Vernon Township High School, Mount Vernon, Illinois, or Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. Both viewing and services were held as a private ceremony for close personal family at Smith and Kernke funeral home and Resurrection Cemetery in OKC where Bill was laid to rest following a small and intimate catholic service, on Thursday June 25, 2020, at 2pm.