Wilmer George Sheldon

Wilmer George "Bill" Sheldon was born in a Minnesota farmhouse to Loyal Philo and J. Kathleen Hall Sheldon on April 10, 1923. Surrounded by family, he died Jan. 19, 2013. He graduated from Annandale Minnesota High School and began attending college in St. Cloud, Minn. When World War II intervened, Bill interrupted his education to enlist in the Air Corps. He became a fighter pilot and was deployed to the China-Burma-India Theater. He enjoyed meeting all the diverse groups of people and learning of their cultures, often visiting in their homes. He attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was awarded three Bronze Stars. After receiving his honorable discharge, he resumed his education at the University of Minnesota and earned his M.D. in 1955. He practiced medicine in Oklahoma, eventually becoming Board Certified in the American Academy of Family Practice and in the American Academy of Pain Management. He was a member of Sequoyah United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir for many years. He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Mary Jon; sons, James Michael and Kerry; and daughters, Rebecca Shoemaker Lingelbach and husband, Dick, and Shannon Wright and husband, Richard. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Mason Shoemaker, Jessica Shoemaker, Melissa and Kevin Guthrie, Jason Meadows, Kathleen Sheldon, Christine and Zack Nock, Robbie Wright and Bill Wright; great-grandchildren, Michael Schott, Emy Shoemaker, Savannah Shoemaker and Vincent Guthrie; sister, Ethel Roerig of St. Paul, Minn.; and brother, Bruce Sheldon of Mankato, Minn. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until service time at Sequoyah United Methodist Church on Friday. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, at Sequoyah United Methodist Church with burial to follow in Fayetteville National Cemetery under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Sequoyah Methodist Music Program, 1910 N. Old Wire Road, Fayetteville, AR 72703 or a favorite charity.