Wilmer 'Bill' George Sheldon's Obituary
Wilmer George “Bill” Sheldon was born in a Minnesota farmhouse to Loyal Philo and J. Kathleen Hall Sheldon on April 10, 1923. Surrounded by family, he died January 19, 2013. He graduated from Annandale Minnesota High School and began attending college in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
When World War II intervened, Bill interrupted his education to enlist in the Air Corps. He became a fighter pilot and was deployed to the Chine-Burma-India Theater. While there he enjoyed meeting all the diverse groups of people and learning of their cultures, often visiting in their homes. He attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was awarded three Bronze Stars.
After receiving his Honorable Discharge, he resumed his education at the University of Minnesota and earned his M.D. in 1955. He practiced medicine in Oklahoma eventually becoming Board Certified in the American Academy of Family Practice and in the American Academy of Pain Management.
He was a member of Sequoyah United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir for many years.
He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Mary Jon, as well as sons James Michael and Kerry, daughters Rebecca Shoemaker Lingelbach and husband Dick, Shannon Wright and husband Richard.
He is survived by eight grandchildren Mason Shoemaker, Jessica Shoemaker, Melissa and Kevin Guthrie, Jason Meadows, Kathleen Sheldon, Christine and Zack Nock, Robbie Wright, and Bill Wright. Great grandchildren, Michael Schott, Emy Shoemaker, Savannah Shoemaker, and Vincent Guthrie, a sister Ethel Roerig of St. Paul, MN and brother Bruce Sheldon of Mankato, MN.
The family will receive friends from 12PM till service time at Sequoyah United Methodist Church on Friday. Funeral service will be 1PM, Friday, January 25, 2013 at Sequoyah United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Fayetteville National Cemetery under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Sequoyah Methodist Music Program, 1910 N Old Wire Road, Fayetteville, AR 72703 or a favorite charity.
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