William Henry Shields was born January 19, 1909 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the home of his parents, William Henry Shields, Sr., and Nora Bane Shields. He died from complications of congestive heart failure at Cottonwood Hospital on Sunday, April 1, 2001.
He was raised in Salt Lake City, spending many summers at the Kansas farm of his grandmother and grandfather. He graduated from West High School then worked at Hewlett Tea and Coffee Company. He married Alta Marie Everson, on June 22, 1935. They had one daughter, Leola Pauline Zuhars. He was the grandfather of Lee E. Zuhars and Christopher R. Zuhars. He took great pride in being their fatherly grandfather. He was employed as a bus driver for Greyhound Lines, driving in the San Francisco/Oakland Bay area, later moving back to Salt Lake City, becoming a superintendent. He was in charge of their bus transportation program of Indian students to Brigham City, Utah. He became an Assistant Regional Manager and depot manager at Reno, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, California and Sacramento, California. Later, he was the operations manager of the Greyhound Casino Bus program in Northern California and Stateline, Nevada. He oversaw the transportation program during the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. His wife, Alta, passed away in 1968. He retired from Greyhound in 1969 and returned to Salt Lake City. He became the commissioned package express agent for Greyhound, and later was crossing guard for Granite School District. He last crossing duty was at Hill View Elementary School on 45th South and 10th East. He retired form that in Nov. 1998, at the age of 89.
He married Margaret Dobson Temple on June 6, 1969. They resided in Murray, Utah. She preceded him in death on February 27, 1981. He was a special dad to Margaret's children: Thomas Temple (Ingred); Joan Temple Wilson (George); Judith Ann Temple Scott; and Arthur Temple (Nancy). He was a second grandpa to each of their children.
He is survived by his daughter, Leola; grandsons, Lee and Chris; a brother, Robert W. Shields, and many nieces and nephews: Thomas, Joan, Judy and Art and their spouses; brother-in-law, Wm. "Had" and sister-in-law, Gloria Dobson, their children and grandchildren. Also, his long-time friends: Robert N. Dick and his wife, Pat, of Greeley, Colorado. Preceding him in death are: Alta Shields, Margaret Shields; his parents; sisters: Dorothy Edwards and Lois Capron; brothers: Theodore Shields and Paul H. Shields.
Bill's family wishes to express their appreciation to his doctors and staff at Cottonwood Hospital and to those who cared for him the two weeks he was in Willow Wood Care Center.
Dad, you have been a great man, father and grandfather. I am so proud I was given the opportunity to be your caregiver in the last few years of your life. Please tell Mom "Hi" for me.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to a charity of your choice.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 5, 2001 at 12 noon at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel, 3401 South Highland Drive, where family and friends may call 10:45-11:45, prior to services. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.