William L. Shackleford

William L. Shackleford, 80, of Catawba Island passed away Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Admiral’s Pointe, Huron, OH. He was born July 30, 1941 in Indianapolis, IN the son of Woodrow and Margaret (Flanary) Shackleford. He married Helen Bernard on Sept. 20, 1969. Like most of his tales, what follows is—more or less—a true story. Bill met his wife of 51 years, Helen, in Cincinnati, and raised his family in Northwestern Ohio. For much of his career he owned his own business, and mentored many in his profession, but his life’s work began sharing his love and appreciation for history and geography as a teacher at The Sacred Heart Academy in Covington, KY following his graduation from Thomas Moore University. A veteran of the United States Navy, Seaman Shackleford served a tour of duty in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam, and continued into the Sea of Japan, Singapore, and Hawaii. Bill was a true adventurer—in every sense of the word. Growing up, Bill moved with his family, living in many different cities across the United States—Albany, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Ashland, KY. It was likely during this time that he gained an appreciation for travel. In his adult life, he enjoyed traveling to Japan, Australia, and Europe. A true Irishman, his favorite vacation was his journey to Dublin, Ireland for the International Flanary Reunion in 2001. Bill called all of these journeys “excellent adventures,” but the biggest, most excellent, of these adventures was a 775 mile, month long nautical journey from Tom’s River, NJ to Port Clinton via the Erie Canal, which featured a scrambled coast guard helicopter, the largest waves in Lake Erie history, Bill and Hillary Clinton, thick fog, and a motley crew assembled from close friends, family, and anyone naïve enough to come along. Surviving are his wife: Helen; daughters: Kerry (Kenneth) Bohac of Lakewood, OH, Sarah (Mark) Williams of Columbus, OH; grandchildren: Aidan Bohac, Ava Williams; brother: Timothy Shackleford of Florence, IN; sister-in-law: Jane Shackleford of Carrolton, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother: John Shackleford. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 am Monday, August 9, 2021 at Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home & Cremation Service with Father Jonathon Wight officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 10:00 am until the time of the service. The family kindly requests that visitors wear a mask. Online condolences and favorite Bill stories may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com . In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or The Mighty Oakes Heart Foundation.