Charles W. Shadow Jr.

Charles William Shadow Jr. died peacefully on September 7 in Maryville, Illinois.

Bill as he was known to his family and friends was born August 6, 1937 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Charles and Claralee Shadow. A devout Catholic his entire life, Bill attended parochial schools and graduated from St. Louis University High School.

After many years working in and with machine shops Bill started Tooling Associates which served as a regional distributor for industrial supplies. Bill sold the still-successful business in 2002.

Bill met and married Dixie Laughlin soon after high school. Together they raised four children – Chuck (Erin) Shadow, Greg (Lisa) Shadow, Kelly (Bob) Samples and Teri Griese, all of whom are still surviving. Bill also leaves behind fifteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. The grandchildren are Stacy (Brian) Knop , Matt (Laura) Shadow, Adam Shadow, Evan Maysent, Alex Shadow, Blake (Kelly) Shadow, Erin (Ben) Potrykus, Andy Samples, Tim (Kathryn) Samples, Nathan Samples, Matthew (Audrey) Griese, Jonny Griese, Faith Griese, Tommy Griese and TJ Griese. The great grandchildren are Nicole and Ashley Knop, Bennett and Preston Shadow, Brady and Mason Potrykus, Jackson and Isabel Samples, Lily and Chloe Griese. He was preceeded in death by his parents Charles and Claralee Shadow and siblings Gwendolyn Falk and James Shadow.

Bill was a caring and involved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who shared his passion for baseball, soccer and fishing throughout his life. Among his special loves was sharing time with family at his house at the Lake of the Ozarks which remains in the family today.

Many people experience one special love in their life, but Bill was the rare exception to experience it twice. His first love Dixie passed away in 2001. More than 20 years later Bill married Velva [Tookie] Stewart. The two resided in Glen Carbon where Bill became a valued and loved member of his “second” family. He is survived by Velva, stepdaughter Angie Stewart and step-grandchildren Courtney (Gregg) Flores and Cody Reiter and step great grandchildren Greyson and Willow Flores.

Bill will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him – especially his family who’ll remember him for his dedication to them and his giving nature for anyone in need.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to The National Kidney Foundation.