F. Roy Shirley, Jr.

Colonel F. Roy Shirley, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.) passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday morning, February 12, 2017, at the age of 83. His funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2017, in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel at 11:00 a.m., where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service. Burial following with Military Honors in Live Oak Memorial Gardens.

Born in Anderson, SC, on February 27, 1933, to the late Frank Roy Shirley, Sr., and Eula Gertrude Bleckley Shirley, Roy graduated from Columbia High School and The Citadel. After graduating from The Citadel in 1955, he was commissioned into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. Roy served his country faithfully in leadership positions in Panama as Company Commander; at Fort Bliss, TX, as Battalion Commander; and, at Fort Jackson, SC, as Brigade Commander. Decorated with the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, he was selected for joint operations successfully completing the Armed Forces Staff College and National War College. Roy retired from the army, his last position at Fort Jackson as the Fort's Chief of Staff, in 1983. His awards include the National Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

After 28 years of dedicated service, Roy became co-owner and Chief Executive Officer of the Somerset Oil Refinery in Somerset, KY for over 8 years. A true patriot, soldier and businessman, he returned to Charleston, SC, where he delighted in spending time with his family and extended Church Family, especially his Monday nights' Bible studies at First United Methodist, Isle of Palms.

Roy is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Shirley Mae Shirley; daughter, Terri Lynn Shirley; son, Randall Roy Shirley (Elizabeth); and daughter, Karen Marie McAvoy (Dennis). He was the beloved Pop-Pop to five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Roy was preceded in death by his grandson, Russell Roy Shirley.