Born in February 1, 1944, and died August 3, 2025 at the age of 81. He fed the hungry and visited those in prison and the sick. He was kind, cheerful and had a quirky sense of humor. He was both a theologian and a mathematician.
Will is loved by his wife, Carolyn Scott Bailey Shackleford; his sons, William Penn Shackleford III (Tripp) and wife Mei Hwa Lu, David Scott Shackleford, Robert Frederick Shackleford (Rob); his granddaughters, Isabella Akua-Akoma Shackleford, Marabel Afia-Akoma Shackleford; his brother William Frederick Genheimer (Fred); his sister-in-law Lynn Genheimer. Will’s parents were Margaret Hammon Wells Shackleford Genheimer Boyd and William Penn Shackleford, Sr.
Will had a Bachelor of Arts in English from Davidson College, Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, Master of Education from Salisbury State University, Doctor of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia and had additional course work from University of Virginia Clinch Valley Campus, Princeton Seminary, and New College in Edinburg, Scotland.
Will was ordained in the Presbyterian Church and served as pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Mexico, Missouri; the Presbyterian Church in Fincastle, Virginia and Mt. Vernon Chapel; St Mary Parrish Church in Haddington, Scotland; Village Presbyterian Church in Charlotte Court House Virginia and Drakes Branch Presbyterian Church; the Gladeville Presbyterian Church in Wise Virginia and Pound Presbyterian Church. He came to Delmarva as a teacher but continued to preach as a member of New Castle Presbytery. He has filled the pulpit in many of the Presbyterian Churches from Lewes, Delaware to Onancock, Virginia; including all of the Makemie Presbyterian Churches. He continued to visit the sick. He had a habit of picking up strangers in need and bringing them home for food, bath, sleep, and sending them on their way with a bus ticket or an introduction to someone who might meet their needs.
He taught English in Kingston, New York; Math in Washington High, Princess Anne, Maryland; Math at Eastern Correctional Institution, in Westover, Maryland; Math in University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland. He was especially good at helping the student having trouble.
A memorial service is planned for 10:00 am Saturday, August 23 at the Manokin Presbyterian Church, 11892 N Somerset Ave., Princess Anne, Maryland 21853.