Willis Berva Shaddrix

Willis Berva Shaddrix, 92, widower of Jane Artemis Johnson Shaddrix departed this life on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 in Charleston, SC. His Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October 28, 2017 in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street at 10:00 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the Downtown Chapel.

He was born at home in the little town of Walter, Alabama, near the city of Cullman, Alabama on May 21, 1925. He was the son of the late Jethro Willis Shaddrix and Odell Sutton Shaddrix. He was predeceased by his brothers: Clyde and Johnny, and sisters: Gladys and Clarice. He is survived by one sister, Sybil Baker of Cullman Alabama, sons Steve Shaddrix (Lynn), of Charleston, SC; Colonel (R) David Shaddrix, US Army (Jen) of Springfield, Virginia, grandsons Brian (Lauren), Tony (Julia), and William (Michelle) Shaddrix, and granddaughters Lindsey Shaddrix Axelson (Scott), and Marianne Shaddrix. He was blessed with four great-grandchildren; Brian, Jr., Adeline, Jack, and Max Shaddrix. He is also survived by various nieces and nephews.

Willis was born during the Great Depression and experienced the hardships of growing up in that era. He started picking cotton on his father's farm at age five, plowed fields with mules, experienced near starvation, but made it through the 8th grade at Cullman County High School where he enjoyed playing basketball. At age 18, he joined the Navy. He supported Operation Crossroads where an atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll was held. His military service included the Pacific theater of Operations during World War II, the Korean War as well as participation in the naval blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He achieved the rate of Machinist Mate, Chief Petty Officer while working tirelessly on whichever vessel he was assigned to. He retired from the Navy in 1963 after 20 years of service and worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard until 1981. After retiring from the Shipyard, Willis or "Shad" as we called him did various jobs throughout Charleston. One of his favorite jobs was selling knives at the City Market of Charleston for over 34 years. Shad always had a smile or a story for everyone. He was always very independent and never shied away from hard work. He could still be seen "mowing his own back yard" at the ripe old age of 92.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Fort Johnson Baptist Church, 1473 Camp Road, James Island, SC 29412 or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.