William Quinn Oscar Shelton, Sr., born on November 5, 1942 in Richmond, Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2024, at home. Gloria Shelton, his wife of 61 years, was by his side.
Son of Lillian and James Shelton, “Billy”, as his friends and family called him, grew up in Richmond, VA, and graduated from Maggie Walker High School in 1960. After high school, he spent his summers at Prince Edwards State Park as a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. He attended Virginia Union and Hampton University before earning his bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the University of Maryland in 1970.
He started his career with the Department of Defense (DOD) in 1963, working until his retirement in 1999. His DOD career sent him to Harrogate, Yorkshire, England and then back to Lanham, Maryland in 1970 where he raised three children.
After retirement, Bill focused his time on what he would say was his greatest source of pride, his family. Additionally, he became a nationally recognized genealogist, was the President of the American Historical Society, and was integral in founding the Prince George’s County African American History Museum.
He is survived by his wife, Gloria Shelton; their children William Quinn Oscar Shelton, Jr. of San Francisco, California, Andrea Denise Shelton of Clinton, Maryland and David Eros Shelton, Sr. of Bowie, Maryland; and nine grandchildren.
While the things he accomplished were impressive, they pale in comparison to the person he was: a loyal cousin, a caring uncle, a detail-oriented co-worker and colleague, a proud father, a steadfast “G-Dad”, and a loving, dedicated husband.
A visitation for William was held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715.
His funeral service occurred on that same Tuesday, with his graveside service to follow in Maryland National Memorial, 13300 Baltimore Ave, Laurel, MD 20707.
