William Stewart "Bill" Shearin Jr.

William Stewart "Bill" Shearin Jr, 94, passed away April 29, 2015. He was born in Chattanooga, TN to William and Mary Ella Shearin. Bill grew up in a Christian home and was saved at the age of 9. He was called to preach at the age of 17 and was lisensed to the ministry in 1939 and ordained in 1962. Bill attended Carson-Newman College for two years before joining the US Army Air Corps, serving for 3 years during WW II. He was an airplane mechanic, radio mechanic and teletype operator. His last promotion was to Sergeant. While stationed at Kirtland Field, he was instrumental in keeping Sunnyside Baptist Church going from week to week. The church started from a revival sponsored by Central Baptist Association held in a storefront on West Central. It later became Trinity Baptist Church. In 1945, Bill and Virginia Lee Williams were married at the First Baptist Church, Albuquerque. They had six children; Mary Jo, William Grayson, David Allen, Robert Ray, Richard Lee and Julie Anne, seven grandchildren; Eileen, Sarah, Allen, Stephanie, Rebekah, Kelsey and Bailey. They also had one great grandson, Christopher. Bill and Virginia were married 69 years. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Lee; his children, Mary Jo Turner & husband Tom, David Shearin, Robert Shearin, daughter-in-law, Debbie Shearin, Julie Anne Davidson and husband Rusty; seven grandchildren, Eileen and husband Doug, Sarah, Allen, Stephanie, Rebekah, Kelsey and Bailey; great-grandson, Christopher; and many other family and friends. Mr. Shearin graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1947 and from Southwestern Seminary in 1955. In the churches he was associated with, he was Minister of Music and /or youth, education and administration in Texas, Artesia, Eunice, Gallup, and Hobbs, NM and Releigh , NC. Bill was with the Baptist Convention of New Mexico in connection with the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LIFEWAY) for 15 years. He was interim pastor in 6 or more places. Bill preached a revival in Bocas del Toro, Panama, was a hospital chaplain for 10 years and a police chaplain for 3 years. He and Virginia were long time members of Sandia Baptist Church. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Wanda, a brother David and two sons, Grayson and Richard. Most of his associates are gone ahead of him. Bill will be missed by those who remain. Services will be Thursday, May 7, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at Sandia Baptist Church, 9429 Constitution Ave NE. Friends may visit Wednesday, May 6, 2015, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas, Memorial contributions may be made to Sandia Baptist Church building fund, 9429 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112.