First Sergeant (1SG) William “Bill” Kenneth Shivler Jr., United States Army Green Beret (Retired), of Tipp City, OH passed on November 16, 2024, after losing his battle with life and from wounds and trauma he suffered during multiple operational and combat deployments with the United States Army Special Forces in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
Bill was born to William K. Shivler Sr. and Susan K. Shivler on November 25, 1968, in Troy, OH. After graduating from Sparta Senior High School, Bill moved back to Tipp City, OH and a couple years later joined the United States Army. Bill was assigned to 1st Bn, 503rd Infantry in Korea. The same unit his father was assigned to in the 173rd Airborne during Vietnam and the same unit his son would later be assigned to in Italy. He was later assigned to the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, Long Range Surveillance Detachment, where he served his first operational deployment to Kosovo. Bill later served in the 5th Special Forces Group, Ft. Campbell, KY. where he deployed on several combat and operational deployments in the Middle East to include Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Bill retired after serving with distinction for almost 29 years.
Bill married Christi M. Shivler in 1996. She was a very important part of his life during his military career. Christi took care of everything during his multiple deployments. Bill said during his retirement ceremony that none of the medals on his chest were earned by him. His family earned every medal. Bill just did his job. Although they were divorced in 2019, Bill and Christi maintained a very amicable relationship in the years following their divorce.
Bill held several elite qualifications; including, U.S Army Special Forces Tab, U.S. Army Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military FreeFall Jumpmaster Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Air Assault Badge. Some of his awards included: Legion of Merit, 5 Bronze Stars, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 4 Army Commendation Medals, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with 5 Campaign Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, NATO Medal with Bronze Service Star, and numerous other awards and accolades.
Beloved grandfather, father, son, brother, ex-husband, and friend. Bill is finally at peace. He will be missed.
Bill is survived by his father William K. Shivler Sr., stepmother Debra J. Young, Tomah WI, daughter Cory (Mitchell), grandsons Landen and Mathew, Viroqua WI, son Cody (Morgan) Shivler, grandson Calvin, Rochester, MN, stepsister Kristin (Mike) Steinbrink, Tomah WI. He is preceded in death by his mother Susan K. Shivler.
Arrangements are entrusted to Neal Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home.