William L. Shivers (May 26, 1932 – January 22, 2024) William L. Shivers, a loving husband, father, and devoted community member, passed away at the age of 91.
Born in Tampa on May 26, 1932, Bill was the son of Jay and Marguerite Shivers. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Judy Parsons. Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Nancy Shivers, and their three children, Barbara Shivers (Rick Dumes), Bill Shivers Jr. (Sally), and Susan Stevenson, as well as his grandchildren, Christin Voytko, and Haley Stevenson. He is also survived by his sister, Jill Brass, and her husband Wayne. Bill cherished the companionship of all his dogs over the years, most recently Windy and Doratoo. Bill's life was marked by a strong sense of duty and adventure. He graduated from the Florida Military Academy and the University of Florida. He proudly served in the Coast Guard, demonstrating his commitment to his country. In his professional life, Bill made a significant impact in the construction industry, and later became a skilled pilot. He was the proud owner of an air taxi business, allowing him to combine his love of flying and business acumen. Beyond his professional pursuits, Bill was a passionate aviator who found immense joy in taking to the skies. He also had a deep love for boating and delighted in moments spent on the water. Bill's generosity knew no bounds, and he was especially dedicated to organizations like Make-A-Wish and Angel Flight Southeast where he volunteered as a pilot to make dreams come true for those in need. He was instrumental in the building of Habitat houses in the
Bahamas. He also brought comfort and smiles to veterans in hospitals through his visits with therapy dogs. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Angel Flight Southeast and K9s for Warriors in Bill's honor. You can visit their websites (www.angelflightse.org and www.k9sforwarriors.org) to contribute to these causes that were close to Bill's heart. William L. Shivers will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments but also for his unwavering dedication to his family, his love for flying and the sea, and his commitment to helping others through his volunteer work. He would often say, “If you’re going to take the time to do something, do it well.” And he very much did. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.