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William Michael Shemeley
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William Shemeley Obituary
William Michael Shemeley, of New Milford, passed away August 4, 2025. Mr. Shemeley was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William M. Shemeley of Port Monmouth, NJ.
Bill was the loving husband of Kathleen Burke Shemeley for 51 years. He was the devoted father of Michael William Shemeley (Jennifer Jones) of Danbury, NH; Colleen Elizabeth Wall (James) of New Milford; and Kate Marie Bowman (Aaron) of Stephens City, VA. He loved his four grandsons, Cameron & Spencer Wall and Ryan and Tyler Bowman. He leaves behind 8 nieces and 8 nephews.
He is survived by his brother Frank McNellis of Columbus, NJ and his sister Sharon Ralph of Myrtle Beach, SC.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 and served through 1971. He served in Vietnam as a combat medic with the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division from 1969-1970. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, and, most important to him, the Combat Medic Badge. A POW activist for 40 years, he traveled to Laos numerous times to gather information about men who were captured or missing during the Vietnam War. Bill was the creative genius behind the CT Forget-Me-Nots' POW/MIA marches, rallies, and demonstrations over the years.
Bill worked in the medical device field for 34 years. He held positions in Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Quality Engineering at Davis & Geck, Cooper Surgical, MedSource, and Siemens. He was a graduate of Western Connecticut State College.
Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. by meeting directly in St. Francis Xavier Church on Rt. 109 in New Milford. Interment will follow in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Lillis Funeral Home is caring for Bill and his family.
Those who wish may make a donation in Bill's honor to BreakthroughT1D.org to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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Memories and Condolences
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Sponsored by Lillis Funeral Home.
6 Entries
Denise Burke
Yesterday
Kathy ( Coleen & family)
We are think of all of you as you say your goodbye to Bill. Sending prayers & hugs. What a life of service he lead!
Denise & Dave Burke and Family.
Kevin Critzer
August 11, 2025
A truly great person who was always giving back to others. He will be greatly missed.
Susan Gabriele, Manchester CT
August 10, 2025
I remember Bill from Davis&Geck and Kathy from storytime at New Milford Library when our kids were pre-school. Both always smiling and friendly. I still have my MIA bracelet from the Forget-Me-Nots and wear it every Memorial Day weekend. My condolences, Kathy
Cindy Elliman
August 10, 2025
I am in deep sadness to hear about the passing of Bill. I worked with Bill for many years at MannKind in the 2000s. He was such a wonderful presence in the position he held and was loved by many employees throughout the company. I interacted with Bill on so many occasions and always enjoyed the stories he told, particularly about his POW activism in Laos Vietnam.
My condolences to Bill's family and to all who knew him. He will be greatly miss but his legacy and soul essence will always live on. Bill, we WILL meet again one day. xx
Sharon Davis
August 9, 2025
I had the pleasure of working with Bill may years ago at Davis & Geck. He was always easy to work with and had a great smile. So nice to everyone. May he rest in peace.
Amanda Daunis
August 8, 2025
I would like to send my deepest condolences to the family. In my time as Williams caregiver he touched my heart everyday with his kindness and huge sense of humor. His family was always so kind and gracious to me so I´m very grateful to them. Bill was one of the sweetest men I´ve ever worked with and he will be greatly missed but always in our hearts!
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