Bill Shirk passed away on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

Bill was born May 21, 1932 in Gahanna, Ohio.  He is preceded in death by his parents George Lawrence Shirk & Dorothy Kitzmiller Shirk, a brother Dick Shirk, a sister Betty Varnell, and his wife of 44 years Mary Dee Shirk.

Bill grew up on a farm in Gahanna, Ohio.  At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Army- to see the world.  He served in the Korean War. He was captured by the enemy forces and was held captive for 3 years as a Prisoner of War.  During that time, he was beaten, starved and used for slave labor.  He was one of the few that came home alive. When he did arrive back in the states he weighed 98 pounds.  Due to his inhumane treatment as a P.O.W. he had a different perspective on life.

He became a licensed barber and owned his own barber shop for many years.  He was outstanding at home improvements.  Through the years Bill and Mary Dee bought and sold numerous fixer-uppers homes and Bill used his skills to make the homes look fabulous.  He was passionate about hunting and fishing.  But especially he loved to eat!  He was always hungry and Mary Dee was always cooking!

When Bill and Mary Dee moved to Fayetteville to be by their daughter, they became active with the Fayetteville Chapter of the American Ex-POWs.  He looked forward to the monthly lunch meetings and the comradery with the Ex-POWs.

Bill lived life his way and to the fullest.  His family will dearly miss him.

He is survived by his daughter Dee Ann Stafford (Donnie) of Fayetteville; son Lee Dawson of Burbank, CA and Michael Shirk Lawrence (Heather) of Nashville, TN; grandchildren Ashley Kotz Martin (Spencer) of Fayetteville, NC, Andy Kotz (Margaret) of Wilmington, NC, Houston Lawrence, Cypress Lawrence, Autumn Tattrie (Casey) all of Nashville, TN, and 7 great-grandchildren with a new addition due in August.

A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 3, 2022, in the Chapel at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery with the Rev. David Woodhouse officiating.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301