William E. "Gene" Shay

Shay, William E. "Gene", 90, of Springfield died Saturday, July 6, 2013 in the Ohio Masonic Home. He was born in Springfield on February 14, 1923 the son of William T. and Mabel (McCollum) Shay. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1941 and was an automobile salesman for most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was the Commander of Springfield Chapter 10 Ex-Prisoners of War and played "Taps" for many veterans during his retirement years and at Arlington National Cemetery in 1997 for the American Ex-Prisoners of War Tree Dedication. He was honored as Grand Marshal of Springfield's Memorial Day Parade. Gene was a member of Clark Lodge #101, F & A.M. and Norris Chapter #426 of the Eastern Star. He volunteered many hours at the Ohio Masonic Home. He is survived by children, W. Michael Shay, Becky (Bill) Scovill and Teri (John) Moltenberry; Paul (Niki) Johnson, Pamela (Charles E.) Jaco and Mark (Marleen) Johnson; grandchildren, David Shay, Jeffrey (Kristen) Moltenberry, Jared Moltenberry, Erika Scovill, Charles R. (Joy) Jaco, Liam, Alex and Gerrit Johnson. He was preceded in death by wife, Elizabeth Moore Shay and first wife, Nancy Romig Shay. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Monday in CONROY FUNERAL HOME, with a Masonic service at 6:45 p.m. His funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Ohio Masonic Home with Chaplain Bruce Vincent officiating. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held in the Ohio Masonic Home Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Masonic Endowment of the Ohio Masonic Home in care of the Ohio Masonic Home Foundation, 5 Masonic Drive, Springfield, Ohio 45504.