William "Bill" Shirey, Jr.

William “Bill” Shirey, Jr., 66, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021 in Colombia, Missouri. 

He was born November 11, 1954 to William Jacob Shirey, Sr. and Pauline (Bates) Shirey in Lawton, Oklahoma. 

Bill was raised in Tecumseh and attended Tecumseh Public Schools.  He loved and excelled in sports while in high school where he participated in football, baseball and track. He was a state champion in long jump and selected to the All State track team as well as competing in the Meet of Champions in Tulsa, OK. Bill also enjoyed playing fast pitch softball with his brothers, Arvin and Jim.  He graduated with the class of 1973 from Tecumseh High School and attended East Central University on an athletic scholarship. 

Following college he moved back to Tecumseh and began working with his father in carpentry where he became a skilled carpenter.  In 1983 Bill became the proud father of his only son Jacob and continued to live in Tecumseh. 

Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, and drinking coffee reading the paper and watching westerns.  His granddaughters were the light of his life. 

He was preceded in death by his parents William and Pauline Shirey and 2 nephews, Mike Shirey and Noah Shirey. 

Survivors include 1 son and 1 daughter-in-law, Jacob and Brandi Shirey of Shawnee, OK; 2 brothers and 1 sister-in-law, Arvin and Frances Bates of Canton, OK and Jim Shirey of Tecumseh, OK;  1 niece, Amanda Shirey; 2 granddaughters, Ayzia Shirey and Kholi Shirey; and many friends and extended family. 

Visitation will be 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 18, 2021 at Cooper Funeral Home.  Service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Larry Townsend, Bethel Acres Assembly officiating. Burial will follow at Brown Cemetery under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Please join the celebration of Bill’s life through Cooper Funeral Home’s Facebook page for live streaming of the service.