Irvin Ray Shields

Irvin Ray Shields, 78, died Monday, June 14, 2010, at his residence in Abilene, Texas. Born on October 26, 1931 in Woodville, Oklahoma at his Grandmother Ray's home, Irvin was the second of four children of Emma and Bun Shields. He was reared in Holliday, Texas, and later moved to Vernon, Texas, where he graduated from high school in 1948. After attending Texas A & M University, he entered the U S Army in 1952, serving in Korea for fourteen months as a Crypto/Teletype Operator. After two years of military service (1952-54), he returned to college at Hardin-Simmons University earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1960 while working as a roustabout with Humble Oil Company. He worked a total of fourteen years for Humble. After his marriage to Viola Allred on August 23, 1955, Irvin worked with Enjay Chemical Division of Standard Oil in Wichita Falls as a chemical technician. In 1968, the couple returned to Abilene where he worked for eighteen years for Sears, then Payless, and later operated their own vending business, V & I Distributors, for eight years. He also purchased a farm, repaired the fences and raised cattle. After health issues forced him out of his working career, Irvin spent his remaining years in volunteer work, mostly for the church and Presbyterian Medical Care Mission. He was a member of First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene, serving as both deacon and elder. Irvin also enjoyed playing bridge. His parents and two sisters, Ida Nell Little and Manon Tarrant, preceded him in death. Irvin is survived by his wife, Viola Shields of Abilene; sons, Tim Shields and wife Tammy of Merkel, and Mike Shields and wife Dana of Houston; three grandchildren, Lauren Shields of Houston, Tamala Hays and husband Cal of Tyler, Texas, and Tyler Shields and wife Cindy of Merkel; three great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Natalie Shields and Ella Marie Hays; and one sister, Bonnie Morris of Denton. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, in Compere Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at First Central Presbyterian Church officiated by Dr. Clifford Stewart and Rev. Janice Six. Memorials may be made to Presbyterian Medical Care Mission, 1857 Pine Street, Suite 100, Abilene, TX 79601.