Roy Shaver

Roy Shaver

August 04, 1931 - December 01, 2018

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Obituary

U.S. Veteran

Roy A. Shaver, 87, of Platteville, Wisconsin, died at Southwest Health Center on Dec 1, 2018. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Platteville United Methodist Church. Rev. Brenda Whitford will officiate. Chapel Military Rites will be accorded by American Legion Post #42 and VFW Post #5274. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be given to Grant County Hospice, the Roy & Ethel Shaver Endowed Scholarship (via UWP Foundation), or to BadgerFlight. Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Roy was born on Aug. 4, 1931, in Rushville, Illinois to farmers Dwight and Gertrude Swanson Shaver. He was united in marriage to Ethel Peterson in Virginia, IL on Aug. 9, 1959. She preceded him in death in 1995.

Roy attended a one room country school for eight years, followed by four years at Rushville High School, graduating in 1949. From 1949-53, he attended Western Illinois University majoring in chemistry. Following graduation in 1953, he then served two years in the Army Anti-aircraft Artillery, mostly at Ft. Wadsworth, NY in the defense of New York City during the Cold War. He was separated from service in 1955, returning to Western Illinois to work on the masters that he obtained in 1956. He was then employed as an instructor at Wisconsin Institute of Technology (Mining School) in Platteville, Wisconsin. WIT merged with the State Teachers College in 1959 and became the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. He retired in 1991 with 35 years of teaching experience and traveled widely with his wife until her death in 1995.

He enjoyed many hobbies including flying, teaching ground school, teaching AARP Senior Driving courses, radiological monitoring during the cold war, writing, motorcycling, and ham radio. He also taught Sunday school, went on many Volunteer-in-Mission short-term work camps, and had twenty-five years as a scouter with Boy Scouts of America, serving in a variety of positions. He was involved in the civil defense initiative for 25 years, primarily as an instructor of radio logical monitoring. He was once chief ground instructor for an aviation school.

Roy is survived by his sister, Ruth Phillips (Marvin) of Rushville, IL; and special friend, Cecile Hoffman of Platteville; sons, William of Somerville, MA; James (Kathy) of Mims, FL, and their children Zachary and Kari; and Thomas (Ting) of Marion, IA and their daughter, Jiajing. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel, parents, and brothers, Gene, Harold and John Shaver.

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NB
N. J. Broughton
Other •
To Roy's family... I was saddened to learn of Roy's passing...another of the Old Guard is gone. I knew Roy primarily through my father, W. A. Broughton, and their association with the Mining School. Over the years, I enjoyed reconnecting with Roy at UWP homecomings. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all... Nancy Broughton
MM
Michael & Susan Myers
Other •
Roy was a special person. I knew him as a young boy growing up in Platteville and during my scouting years and adult years though the church. As a fellow serviceman, I know he was not only proud that he served, but sturdily acknowledged the service of others as well. God bless you Roy.
TF
Tammi Alexander, Badger Honor Flight
Other •
The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, Roy Shaver. We are thankful for his military service and proud to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. on October 7, 2017.
KP
Karla Picton
Other •
My sympathies to your family. I hated Chemistry, but he was one of my favorite teachers in college back in the 70s. He lived his faith. May the special memories of the times you shared together be with you always and give you peace.
DA
Dee (Butson) Anderson
Other •
Bill, Since moving back to the area, I met your Dad, I told him that we had gone to school together. He was so enjoyable to chat with, always had a story to tell and loved to keep me updated on the miles he had logged on his motor cycle. A True Gentleman.
TL
Thomas and Lee Ann Lindahl
Other •
Our condolences to Cecile and the entire family. We will miss our good friend Roy. He and Ethyl made us feel welcome when we first came in 1991 and we developed a good friendship with him as well as had many opportunities to discuss our faith. He was a man of faith and a real positive mentor. May he rest in peace and may God bless all of you.

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