A memorial service will be held for the Rev Shirley H. Will, 67, of Jefferson Friday, Oct. 20, at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.
The Rev Heather Dorr, paster of the church, will offer words of comfort. Chuck Layton will give the eulogy. Danille Curtis will accompany congregational singing.
Shirley was born July 28, 1956, at St. Francis Hospital in Washington, MO. She was the first child of Hollis and Marion (Fleer) Hoffmann, of Berger, MO.
Shirley began her primary education in the Hermann (MO) school district, continued it when the family lived in Grinnell from 1962 – 66, and then finished it in 1974, when she graduated from Carlisle High School. In 1975, Shirley completed a 60-hour course at Des Moines Area Community College so she could work as a nursing home nurse’s aide.
Shirley began her secondary education in Warrensburg, MO, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1977, and then her master’s degree in education in 1983. Shirley began her teaching career at age 20 in the Lake of the Ozarks School District, working mostly with special needs students. Her work with her students deepened her spiritual connection in a profound way.
After a few years of teaching in central Missouri, and a short sabbatical with Dave and Sharron Schar at Camp Wesley Woods in Indianola, Shirley heeded The Call, and left for Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, where she graduated in May 1990. Shirley would go on to pastor at United Methodist Churches in Jefferson, New London, Cedar Rapids, Packwood, Sumner, Lake Mills, and Griswold for 31 years before retiring to Jefferson in 2021.
In 1997, Shirley travelled to Russia and adopted Emma, who changed, challenged and blessed Shirley’s life. In 2000, at Camp Wesley Woods in Indianola, Shirley married her perfect partner, Gerold “Jerry” Will. The three of them had a wonderful life together.
Shirley enjoyed many craft activities, as well as traveling. The latter included several trips to Europe to reconnect with many of the foreign exchange students she hosted over the years.
Shirley passed away Oct. 16, 2023. She is survived by her mother Marion; her brother Edwin; her sister-in-law Lisa; her niece Rachael; and her husband Ethan Howard, and their son, Oliver; her nephew Christian; her niece Elizabeth; her godsons Derek and Kyle Roeder; three aunts; an uncle; and many cousins.
Shirley will be interred at St. James Church, Stony Hill, MO, next to her husband, daughter and father.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests any donations be sent to either the Ronald McDonald House program or Camp Wesley Woods. Services by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Jefferson.
