William D. Shimanek

William David "Bill" Shimanek, 91, of Billings passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, October 23rd, 2014. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home and a service celebrating Bill"s life will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Perry. Visitation will be held on Monday from 12:00pm to 8:00pm with the family greeting friends at the funeral home from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday evening. William David Shimanek was born on December 29, 1923 in Bison, OK to Joseph and Josephine (Harak) Shimanek. He was raised and attended schools in the Bison-Hennessey area. At the age of 17, Bill enlisted in the US Army Air Corps where he served as a tail gunner in the European Theatre during World War II. He flew a total of 50 missions during his service, one on a B-17 and 49 on a B-26. Following his honorable discharge from the service, Bill relocated to Enid where he began constructing the Union Equity elevators. In 1954 Bill married Mary Ellen Lee in Colorado and they remained inseparable until her passing in 1996. Bill continued working at the elevators for over 35 years until retiring to his Billings farm to raise wheat and cattle. He kept-up with his daily farming activities well into his late 80"s. Bill"s faith was very important to him and he was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Perry for over fifty years and served on the evangelism committee and as an usher. He enjoyed traveling, farming, gardening, growing fruit trees, and was also a skilled mechanic. He was an independent and easy going man with lots of energy. He always had a project he was working on and he never missed an opportunity to involve his family members in his projects following family dinners. He was ornery, had a great sense of humor, and loved to make others smile. Bill Shimanek was a loving father, a proud grandpa, a loyal brother, a hardworking farmer, and a trusted friend who will be missed by everyone his life has touched. He was preceded in death by the love of his life Mary Ellen Shimanek, his parents, two brothers: Dave and Henry Shimanek, and two sisters: Helen Lamerton and Adele Popawell. Left behind to carry on Bill"s legacy are his two children: Curtis Shimanek and wife Vicki, of Perry and Elizabeth Shimanek, of Oklahoma City. Five siblings: George Shimanek and wife Belva, Agnes Shimanek, Theresa Haskins, Don Shimanek and wife Stella, and Joan Abady and husband Carl. Grandchildren: Timothy Coleman and wife Joscilyn, Tiffany Coleman, and Chelsea Jacobson. Two great grandchildren: Madison Coleman and Dalton Coleman. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members. The family requests that donations be made in Bill"s name to the Wounded Warrior Project in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home 203 Fir Street. Perry, OK 73077 Condolences may be sent to the family via an online guestbook at www.perrycares.com

10/28/2014
02:00 PM

Funeral
Christ Lutheran Church
1301 N. 7th St
Perry
OK
73077