Bill G. Shirel

Rev. Bill G. Shirel, 87, of Muskogee, Oklahoma entered his eternal Heavenly home on Thursday, June 10, 2021. He was born February 17, 1934, in Adair, Oklahoma to Rev. Thomas Edward and Lottie B. (McLaughlin) Shirel. He enlisted in the United States Army on October 7, 1954. While stationed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, carrying his Bible and a songbook, he discovered a big rock on a hill overlooking the ocean. This rock became his church where he felt his call to preach. He married the love of his life, Donna June Lowe, on January 18, 1956, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. They spent the next 3 months in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was discharged from the U.S. Army on October 5, 1956. He worked for 7-Up Bottling Company, JC Penney’s, B&R Chrysler and RC Bottling Company. His hobbies were reading, fishing and rebuilding salvage vehicles. They evangelized for 3 years before accepting the pastorate of the Muskogee United Pentecostal Church in 1962. He served in various elected positions for the Oklahoma District United Pentecostal Church beginning in 1964 for a total of 38 years. These positions included Sectional Youth Leader, Presbyter, Oklahoma District Children’s Ministries Director, Oklahoma District North American Missions Secretary and District Secretary for the Oklahoma District United Pentecostal Church from 1975 to 2002. Rev. Shirel also served as a Board Member for the Tupelo Children’s Mansion in Tupelo, Mississippi from 1975 until his death. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Donna Shirel; parents, Thomas and Lottie Shirel; siblings, Myrtle Shirel; Nadine Gregory; Olen Shirel; Violet Dobson; Anna Keller; Harold Shirel; Harley Shirel and Vernie Williams. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Rev. Mike Hart of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Patty and John Dodson of Pontotoc, Mississippi; grandchildren, Rev. Jason and Kaitlyn Hart of Jenks, Oklahoma, Rev. Jeremy and Jamin Hart of Muskogee, Oklahoma, Kendra Dodson of Raleigh, North Carolina and Kaylin Dodson of Muskogee, Oklahoma; great-grandchildren, Boyd and Saylem Hart of Jenks, Oklahoma; two brothers, Jerry Shirel of Deer Park, Texas and Leroy Shirel of Collinsville, Oklahoma and a host of other family and friends. Visitation with family being present will be 5-7PM, Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. Funeral services celebrating Rev. Shirel’s life will be 1PM, Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at Timothy Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers Keith Carr, Charles Cotner, Tommy Hart, Ronnie Jones, Ryan Jones, Byran Radebaugh. Honorary pallbearers are Rev. E. G. Bass, Rev. Jack Garrison, Rev. Melvin Gray, Rick Ashing, Ivory Jones, Traeden Kirby, Kent Leamons, Danny Siedlik, Mark Smith, Chris Watson and William Watson. Funeral services are under the direction of Cornerstone Funeral Home, 1830 N. York Street, Muskogee, OK. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.cornerstoneofmuskogee.com.

Bill G. Shirel

February 17, 1934 - June 10, 2021