William "Bill" Shaffer
Files
Dublin Core
Title
William "Bill" Shaffer
Subject
Shaffer, William "Bill" Robert (1916-1996)
Description
Portrait of William "Bill Shaffer" as a young man.
He is best remembered for his work as a poultryman, and as a former Mayor of Woodstock, and a former member of the Virginia General Assembly.
Bill Shaffer was born in Middletown to Vernon Spitler (1884-1958) and Mary Leah (Stover) (1885-1973) Shaffer, originally from Page County. In 1920, the family lived for a time in Berryville, Clark County, where his father worked in a flour mill.
They moved to Maurertown where his father became a poultry farmer and hatchery operator. Bill graduated from Woodstock High School and Massanutten Military Academy (MMA). At a young age, Bill was active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the Baby Chick Association.
When Bill registered for the WWII draft, he worked at the Shenandoah Commercial Hatchery, his father’s operation. He was described as being 5’11 ½” tall, 150 pounds, and wore glasses.
He married Elizabeth Moorhouse (Jones) in her hometown of Albany, New York, in 1943. She had graduated from Russell Sage College and worked for the American Viscose Company (later known as Avtex Fibers) as the Director of Publicity and Public Relations for the Lewistown, Pennsylvania, plant.
At the time of his wedding, Bill was serving as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He served from 1942-1947, and was followed by his father who served from 1950-1958.
Bill became a partner in his father’s hatchery business as well as the Woodstock Canning Company. The Northern Virginia Daily published over 150 short notices about his involvement in the community and local politics during the 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s.
The 1950 census found Bill and Elizabeth living on West Locust Street in Woodstock along with two children: Susan L. and Andrew T. Shaffer. His occupation was “Hatchery man”.
Bill spent his last years living in the Bayles Lake area of Loda, Iroquois County, Illinois.
He is best remembered for his work as a poultryman, and as a former Mayor of Woodstock, and a former member of the Virginia General Assembly.
Bill Shaffer was born in Middletown to Vernon Spitler (1884-1958) and Mary Leah (Stover) (1885-1973) Shaffer, originally from Page County. In 1920, the family lived for a time in Berryville, Clark County, where his father worked in a flour mill.
They moved to Maurertown where his father became a poultry farmer and hatchery operator. Bill graduated from Woodstock High School and Massanutten Military Academy (MMA). At a young age, Bill was active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the Baby Chick Association.
When Bill registered for the WWII draft, he worked at the Shenandoah Commercial Hatchery, his father’s operation. He was described as being 5’11 ½” tall, 150 pounds, and wore glasses.
He married Elizabeth Moorhouse (Jones) in her hometown of Albany, New York, in 1943. She had graduated from Russell Sage College and worked for the American Viscose Company (later known as Avtex Fibers) as the Director of Publicity and Public Relations for the Lewistown, Pennsylvania, plant.
At the time of his wedding, Bill was serving as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He served from 1942-1947, and was followed by his father who served from 1950-1958.
Bill became a partner in his father’s hatchery business as well as the Woodstock Canning Company. The Northern Virginia Daily published over 150 short notices about his involvement in the community and local politics during the 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s.
The 1950 census found Bill and Elizabeth living on West Locust Street in Woodstock along with two children: Susan L. and Andrew T. Shaffer. His occupation was “Hatchery man”.
Bill spent his last years living in the Bayles Lake area of Loda, Iroquois County, Illinois.
Creator
Morrison Studio
Source
Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society
Publisher
Shenandoah County Library
Date
ca. 1950
Contributor
Identified by Virginia Rutz, who was a classmate. Also identified by Lorraine Rutz, who used to date him.
Additional biographical information was compiled from public records.
Rights
IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED
Relation
William R. Shaffer appears in Morrison Studio Collection images 002549, 003568, 003629, and 003661.
Identifier
003568
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Glass Negative
Collection
Citation
Morrison Studio, “William "Bill" Shaffer,” Shenandoah County Library Archives, accessed December 23, 2024, https://archives.countylib.org/items/show/30644.
Comments