William Watson Shields Sr., 96, of Panama City, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2014. He was born March 6, 1918 in Walker County, Georgia, to Thomas Wesley & Eunice Hill Shields. He entered the United States Army on April 22, 1941 and was commissioned on December 14, 1942. He served in Europe with the 84th Infantry Division during World War II. After the war ended, he served with the U.S. Army Reserve until retiring at the rank of Major. He was the retired operator and co-owner of Superior Dry Cleaners. He was a longtime member and Sunday School teacher at Hiland Park Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Reubin S. Shields and Harmon W. Shields. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Bryan Shields; two daughters, Wanda Jane Harrison, Ella Shields Russ (Carl S.); one son, William W. "Bill" Shields Jr. (Deborah Lynette); grandchildren, Victoria Russ Plank (Chet), Elizabeth Russ Smith (Michael), Mary Catherine Russ, William W. "Trey" Shields III (Dr. Rachael), Bryan Cody Shields; and great grandchildren, Ansley Dru Plank, Sawyer Hamilton Plank, Ella Lane Smith, Colette Marie Shields and Banner Andrew Smith. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 6 – 8 p.m. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 19 in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Cody Shields, Trey Shields, Michael Smith, Chet Plank, Pete Stanley and John Stanley. Those desiring may make memorial donations to the Building Fund at Hiland Park Baptist Church, 2611 U.S. Hwy 231, Panama City, FL 32405 in memory of William Watson Shields, Sr.