Billy Eugene Shuford

Billy Eugene “Gene” Shuford, 97, died peacefully at his home on November 10, 2024. 

Born on January 29, 1927 in the western North Carolina town of Barnardsville (north of Asheville), he was the oldest of five children born to Molt and Avie Shuford. From an early age, Gene grew up surrounded by fine craftsmanship: his mother was a gifted seamstress, and his father, a master cabinet maker and expert worker of wood. Molt and Avie passed their creative abilities to their children—and Gene inherited his share in abundance.

The circumstances of his upbringing—humble Appalachian roots (in his words: “In our community we were poor people, but never hungry”) coupled with hardships brought on by the Great Depression—taught Gene lessons that he never forgot: the value of getting up early, working hard, and taking care of one’s family. And when the nation called upon her sons to defend our way of life during World War II, like many of his “Greatest Generation” peers, Gene (a mountain boy who had never seen the ocean) answered that call to serve by enlisting in the United States Navy. When asked once why he wanted to go to war, he answered simply “In those days, everybody wanted to serve—and I did too.”

After the war was won, Gene returned home, wiser, more experienced, and ready to get on with his life. A blind date with a lovely, dark-haired beauty named Margaret left him love-smitten. Friendship grew into romance and on November 20, 1949 Gene and Margaret said their “I do’s”. He was 22 years old; she was 23. Theirs was a love affair of faithfulness and devotion that truly was “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

Gene and Margaret eventually moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where they made a home and raised three children. Gene worked at Western Electric and later AT&T as a technical illustrator. The tools of his trade were pen, ink, watercolors and airbrush. In his spare time he loved to retreat to the corner of his basement where he had created his art studio, to work on a painting or carving or whatever was on his mind that day.

In fact, it seemed that Gene was always creating something.

He saw things with eyes that only a skilled artist can see, and using paint and brush translated (for those of us less gifted) the beauty he saw into colors and shapes on artist’s paper, creating a legacy of artwork that filled their home.

Gene was also a gifted and knowledgeable gardener. The spaces surrounding their house were just a different sort of palette; instead of paints and brush he employed spade, rake and well-worn work gloves, using plants, flowers, trees and stones to create a multi-hued-and-textured garden spot that was a delight to him, his bride, their children and others.

In his retirement years, directly channeling his father’s skill in woodwork, Gene took up the woodcarver’s knife. He could see things in a simple, plain block of wood—birds, animals, people—and became quite accomplished at freeing what he saw in the wood, from the wood, creating always beautiful and often intricate works of art. 

But Gene’s creative expression wasn’t limited to his palette, spade or carving knife. He loved music, and for years sang in a barbershop chorus and quartet, where he learned his often-repeated motto: “If you’re too busy to sing, you’re too busy!” He played the piano, and knew something of the guitar. He and Margaret often sang together, Gene singing the melody and Margaret the harmony, their favorite song being the old hymn “In the Garden.”

Gene Shuford was a creator. But he was keenly aware that whatever artistic ability he had came as a gift from the Creator God who declared in the Book of Genesis, “Let us create.” Gene was a man of deep faith and simple trust in God his Creator and Savior. He and Margaret’s local congregational connections were at Southside Baptist Church and Calvary Church in Winston-Salem. Their Sunday School class at Calvary, led by Dr. James Joseph, became a primary source of friendship and spiritual strength in their later years.

And that spiritual strength was much needed. As Margaret’s health declined and difficult days became more and more frequent, so much the more Gene dedicated his life to selflessly and tirelessly serving his wife—her lovely dark hair now turned white. He was her rock and her anchor, and she was the same for him.

Often, as he spoke about how good the Lord had been to him, or when he talked about “the wife of his youth”, Gene’s eyes would tear up with emotion. After his beloved Margaret passed in June of this year, Gene fixed those eyes on their heavenly home. Now, together again, his faith has become sight.

When his loved ones were asked to describe Gene, here is a sample of their words: devoted to his wife and family, responsible, godly example, strong faith, art teacher, “his family was his canvas”, warm, steady presence, wise counsel, encouraging in all things, patient, supportive, considerate, generous, hugely curious about the world around him, explorer, the opposite of lazy, always active, provider, role model.

He was all this, and much, much more.

The brushes are still; the art studio sits empty and silent. He will be missed—until we meet again!

Gene was preceded in death by Margaret, his beloved wife of 74 years; and siblings, Robert Shuford and Geraldine Rice. He is survived by his children, David Shuford of Winston-Salem, Phillip Shuford (Elsy) of Ozark, Missouri, and Genna Shuford Johnson (Nelson) of Greensboro, Georgia; four grandchildren, Captain Lucas Johnson of Shreveport, Louisiana (United States Air Force); Abigail Johnson of Greensboro, Georgia; Andrea Shuford of Ozark, Missouri, and Andrew Shuford of Ozark, Missouri; his brother, Jim Shuford and sister, Laura Lanier, both of Weaverville, NC; and many nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Laura Carroll, home health aide, who with her eternally positive spirit played a vital role in caring for Gene and Margaret in their later years; and to Trellis Supportive Care for their assistance and guidance.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 11:00AM at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel in the Robert F. Miller Center with Rev. Dr. James B. Joseph officiating with music provided by Rev. Ed Locke.  The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service, from 10:00AM - 11:00AM. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 11:00AM in the West Memorial Park Cemetery located in Weaverville, NC. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to North Carolina Baptists on Mission, PO Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512. Please designate on your check "Western North Carolina Hurricane Helene Response"; or on-line at baptistsonmission.org/Donate.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Shuford family.