HERRILLIS ALVAR SHAFFER

Herrillis Alvar Moses Shaffer, 75, passed away Wednesday April 4, 2012 at the Del Sol Medical Center, El Paso, TX, after a long courageous battle with several serious medical issues. A memorial service is scheduled at the Grace United Methodist Church located at 1206 Greenwood, Alamogordo, NM, Saturday April 14 at 2 p.m. Interment will take place following a viewing at the Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake, ND from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m., with a graveside service at the Devils Lake Cemetery on Monday, April 16. Born September 15, 1936, he was the first of four sons born to Herrillis A. Shaffer and Evelyn A. (Borstad) Shaffer in Maddock, ND. In 1954, he graduated from the Benson County Agricultural Training School (BCATS )in Maddock, ND. After high school, he moved with his family to Devils Lake, ND where he attended college and worked at the local theatre. He joined the Air Force in 1958, and spent 22 years of honorable military service traveling the world and living in Japan, Africa and other exotic places. He married Betty Jane Harmon in 1964, and they had a daughter Dedra Jane born in 1965 who joined the family which included three older sisters, Kathy, Karen, and Donna from Betty’s previous marriage. After retiring from the Air Force he and Betty purchased a Coast to Coast store in Harlem, MT. Unfortunately, the small community could not provide the financial support he needed to care for his family. He eventually moved to Alamogordo, NM where they could be close to their granddaughter, Shaylies who lived with her father David Rowe in Albuquerque, NM. Bill, as he was known to his friends, worked as the Chief of Security for the New Mexico State University in Alamogordo until 2006 when he retired for health reasons. Bill had a strong Christian faith and was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Alamogordo where he also served as an usher until his health prevented his continued attendance. He had several hobbies and interests including coin collecting, jewelry making, and his dogs Peppy and Missy, who will miss him greatly. He is survived by his wife, Betty in Alamogordo; brother, Theodore and his wife Francis in Devils Lake; brother, John in St. Paul, MN; stepdaughters, Kathy (Dennis) Vollan of Lake Elsinore, CA, Karen Wynant of Medford, OR and Donna (Steve) Ballard of Helena, MT; grandchildren, Dawn and Denise Vollan; Matt Wynant; Shylo, Tim, and Dallas Ballard; Shaylies Rowe, and Tiffany Schultz; and his great-grandchildren, McKenzie Crawford, Chase Wynant, Scotty Harris, Savannah and Elijah Shultz. He also leaves behind several cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother William E. (Billy) Shaffer, his daughter Dedra Jane Rowe, and granddaughter Sierra Wynant. Bill’s (Sonny) family would like to thank all those whom have shared their thoughts, prayers, and memories with us. Bill will never be forgotten, though missed terribly. We are consoled knowing he is with the Lord who guided his life.