Richard Boyd Shaw

Mr. Richard Boyd Shaw or “Buddy” as he has been known since the age of six, resident of Wynne, Arkansas, departed this life on Monday, February 19, 2024, at St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center in Jonesboro at the age of 77. Buddy was born in Parkin on August 14, 1946, the son of Robert Boyd and Emma Esther (Smith) Shaw.

Buddy was a 1964 graduate of West Memphis High School, and in August of the same year, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Buddy proudly served his country as an air traffic controller through the Vietnam War and the Cold War. Buddy was released from active duty in 1968, and on October 25, 1968, he married the former Sybil L. Stout. Buddy had a passion for air traffic controlling and continued the work with the Federal Aviation Administration in Jackson, Mississippi, Nashville, Tennessee, and Memphis, Tennessee until 1981. The couple and their family settled close to home and Buddy operated Wynne Tire Company for more than 30 years prior to his retirement in 2018. Buddy was a dedicated and active member of Colt Baptist Church where he participated in Men’s Ministries and taught Sunday School. He served as Sunday School director for several years as well. Buddy was an avid, hunter, fisherman, and gardener, and he enjoyed traveling. He was continually willing to assist those in need, and he will forever be remembered by his family as the greatest husband, daddy, and granddaddy.

Mr. Shaw was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Danny Shaw; and two sisters, Louise Wright and Doris Ann Blackford.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sybil Shaw of the home; two sons, Richard M. Shaw and wife, Faith, of Tumbling Shoals, and Robert “Bob” Shaw of Colt; a sister, Bobbie Russell of Paragould; three grandchildren, Justin and Trevor Shaw of Decatur, Alabama, and Katelyn Holland and husband, Dalton, of Wynne; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024, in the Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Wynne with Bro. Clint Haynes officiating. Interment will follow in the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye.

Friends may visit at the funeral home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2024.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Justin Shaw, Trevor Shaw, Dalton Holland, Brian Stout, Mitchell Stout, and Wilburn Coleman. Honorary pallbearers are James Stout and the Men of Colt Baptist Church.

Memorial donations may be made to Colt Baptist Church, P.O. Box 283, Colt, AR 72326.

Arrangements by Thompson-Wilson Funeral Home of Wynne.