Billy "Butch" Shirley, 86, of Sherando, was surrounded by his family when he passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022.  He was born September 19, 1935 a son of the late Sidney C. and Zula Harmon Shirley.

Butch served 21 years in the navy with the Naval Construction Battalion and was a retired Sea Bee Chief. He served multiple international tours of duty including Korea and Vietnam. He received numerous medals for his service including the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Civic Action Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign medal.

After retiring from the Navy, he continued to live his life by the Sea Bee's motto "We Build", "We Fight", "Can Do". He worked for the rest of his life as a heavy equipment operator, as a partner in Shirley Brother's Excavation and Masonry, building hundreds of homes and buildings in Augusta and Nelson counties.

He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Ann Shirley; two daughters, Teri Shirley and Billie Ruth Shirley; four brothers Donnie, Jerry, Melvin, and Sidney Ray; and a stepson Gary Underwood.

He is survived by four sisters Peggy, Doris, Mary Lou, and Bonnie; five brothers Ronnie, Steve, Eddie, Paul, Bruce; and a sister-in-law Kim Shirley. A daughter Debbie Holderman; stepdaughter Ami Allen (Paul); a very special granddaughter Rachel; and family friend Randolph.

A graveside service will be held  Friday, September 2, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Sherando United Methodist Cemetery, officiated by R. B. Morris.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Butch's honor to The Sherando United Methodist Church building fund (SUMC, 2022 Howardsville Turnpike, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477), St. Jude's Children's Hospital (online or St Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50 Memphis, TN 38101-9929).