William Charles Shears

William Charles Shears, 88, of Middleburg, Florida, went home to God on Saturday, April 15, 2017.  He was born in London, England, the son of William Austin and Dorothy (Plum) Shears. He became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 1959, and his work took him to exotic places such as Egypt and Malaysia. In 1960, he met and married Helen Lucille Hillman in Indonesia.  They returned to the United States in 1964 with two children, Charles William and Martha Jane.  Their 3rd child, Ian Andrew, was born in 1966.  The family lived in Chester, VA, Wise, VA, and Kingsport, TN.  Bill and Helen retired to Covenant Towers in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2001, and moved to Middleburg, FL in 2011.  Bill’s life was one of service to the church and community.  He served as an elder in each Presbyterian Church he and Helen joined.  He devoted his leisure time to the Boy Scouts of America, as a Scout Master, Commissioner, Trainer, and was a member of the Order of the Arrow.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 56 years passed only 18 days before him.  He is survived one daughter and her husband, Martha and James Smith of Middleburg, FL; a son and his wife, Charles and Tricia Wassam Shears of Lubbock TX; a son, Ian Shears of Myrtle Beach, SC; and three grandchildren; Danielle Shears, Jason Wassam, and Jeremiah Wassam.