William “Bill” Charles Shoemaker of Buxton, passed away at home under the loving care of his family, his sons-in-law, daughter, Holly Blackmon, and hospice care on Sunday, September 2, 2018, at the age of 80.

He is survived by daughter Debbie Blackmon (Doug) of Del Rio, Tennessee; son, William “Bud” Charles Shoemaker, Jr. (Marcie) of Buxton; and four grandchildren, Matthew Burrus Nuckles of Frisco, and Zebediah Burrus Shoemaker, Rubie Louise Shoemaker and Grace Marie Shoemaker all of Buxton. Also, surviving is his faithful longtime companion, a chocolate lab, Jessie and numerous nieces and nephews from the island and from afar. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Sara E. Burrus Shoemaker in May of 2017.

Bill was born in Orlando in 1937 and graduated from Palm Beach High School in 1956. After working one year in a printing shop he joined the United States Coast Guard where his first duty station was on Ocracoke Island, NC. He met Sara when she was on a break from Chowan College at a dance at Tandy’s, now Quarterdeck. They married in 1959.

After many moves between Hatteras, Ocracoke, Portsmouth, Virginia, St. Ignace, MI, St. Croix, Virgin Island and Elizabeth City, Bill retired after proudly serving his country for 20 years as a Chief Boatswain Mate. After retiring in 1977, he worked at his childhood friend, Billy Hudgins’ fish house in Riviera Beach, Florida before joining AUTEC in 1980 to run a 182 ft. launch vessel Florida and the Bahamas. After retiring again in 1987, he took several years to build the family home on Indian Ridge in Buxton on property passed down from Sara’s father, Maurice Lennon Burrus.

Services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at Hatteras Assembly of God.

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to Hatteras Island Methodist Men’s Food Pantry, PO Box 1591, Buxton, NC 27920.

Twiford Funeral Homes is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.TwifordFH.com.