William Gerald Shoaf

William Gerald Shoaf, 88 years old, passed away on June 23, 2023, following a brief illness. 

He was born on November 6, 1934 to Richard Lee and Annie Marie Kepley Shoaf, and was a 1953 graduate of Cleveland High School, Cleveland, NC. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, proudly serving on an aircraft carrier, the USS Bennington, from 1954 to 1958. Following his military service, he was employed for 37 years at Norfolk Southern, initially as a brakeman, and spent the majority of his career as a locomotive engineer. 

Mr. Shoaf loved the Lord, his family, and anything to do with work and helping others. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rachel Wagoner Morgan Shoaf; brother, Perry Hardin Shoaf; and step-daughter, Eva Morgan. He is survived by his sisters, Carol Shoaf Smith, and Judy Shoaf Mclaughlin of Salisbury, NC; son, Mark Shoaf (Kamm) of Piedmont, SC; step-children, Wayne Morgan, Rick Morgan (Wanda), and Kim Fink (George) of Salisbury, NC; grandchildren, Jessica Tucker, Zac Fink (Jennifer), Bethany Hutchinson (Steven), Chelsea Osterloh, and Luke Morgan; and 10 great-grandchildren. 

Arrangements: A memorial service will be held at Trinity Wesleyan Church, 2200 Mooresville Road, Salisbury, NC, on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM. The service will be officiated by Rev. Martha Richardson. Memorial gifts may be sent to Trinity Wesleyan. A private burial will be held at the Salisbury National Cemetery Annex at a later date. 

Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Shoaf family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

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