of Mayflower, AR

July 24, 1923 - June 26, 2024

Coy Shirley, 100 years of age from Mayflower, AR entered his heavenly home on June 26, 2024. Coy was a World War II Army/Air Force veteran who fought for our freedom on the beaches of Normandy. He served in the European Theater as a mechanic in the 2487th Quartermaster Truck Company (Aviation) supporting the P-47 Thunderbolts flown by the 9th Air Force. His unit arrived in France seven days after the D-Day invasion and moved across Europe until the end of the war. He was the recipient of multiple medals for his service.

After his military service, Coy pursued a career in the Heat and Air business and eventually opened his own company Shirley Heat and Air in Mayflower. After semi-retiring from his business, he went to work as Maintenance Manager with Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock for the next 10 years until his retirement.

He was a true example of a Christian man and was known for his willingness to help others and share God's word. He deeply loved and cherished his family and friends, to know him was to love him. He exemplified integrity, generosity, compassion, courage, and kindness beyond measure.

He was an avid fisherman and especially loved fishing at Lake Nimrod and Lake Conway catching crappie and bream so he could have a big fish fry for his family. He was also an avid hunter, of quail, deer, elk, and squirrel. and always had a big garden to ensure his family and friends had plenty of fresh vegetables. His presence will be greatly missed.

Coy was preceded in death by his parents, James Riley Shirley and Nancy Brady Shirley, brothers, Elmer Shirley, William Shirley, Houston Shirley, James Shirley, and Ernest Shirley, Hallie Shirley, sisters Nellie Mathis, Ruby Ison, and Ruth Lawrence, granddaughter Vickie Haney, great-grandson Jerry Lott, and great-great-grandson Carter Lee Lott.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 81 years Rosa Springer Shirley, daughters Judy Noel (Howard), Lynda Thurman (Gerald), and Nancy White (Donald), grandchildren John Lott (Rita), Sheila Wyles (Duane) Frankie Thurman, Mark Thurman (Andrea), Grant White. Great-grandchildren, LaShea Wilson (Newt), Priscilla Walters, Kadie Lott, Tyler Crawford, Austin Crawford (Courtney), Casey and Logan Thurman, 5 great-great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-great-granddaughter and loving nieces and nephews.

A special loving thank you to his private caregivers Stacy and Angie. He loved you both and his family appreciates your loving care to him throughout the last 2 years.

Coy's family would also like to extend our love and sincere appreciation to Gentiva Hospice of Conway with heartfelt thank you to Baily, Natasha, Joe, Blair, Dana, Savanna, and all others who provided him with loving care.

We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the staff, doctors, nurses, and CNA's at McClellan VA Medical Center in Little Rock for the tender loving care you all provided to our daddy and grandpa during his last days. It will never be forgotten.

Visitation will be at 1:00 on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at Northside Apostolic Church in Mayflower, followed by the funeral at 2:00. Coy will be laid to rest at Mayflower Cemetery with military honors.

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