Phillip B. Shelton

Phillip B. Shelton, 81, died peacefully in his sleep October 15, 2020. Visitation will be 6-8PM, Thursday, October 22, 2020, with military honors being rendered at 6:15PM, at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: IAFF Local 42 of Greater Kansas City, KCFD Community Assistance Program, Attention: Pam Solomon, 6320 Manchester Ave., Kansas City, MO 64133.

Phil was born in Kansas City, MO to the late Thomas B. and Merle B. Shelton. He spent all of his life in the Kansas City area, where he attended Central High School. Phil served in the US Navy after graduating high school. While stationed in Adak, Alaska he was on the Navy fire department. This led to a career with the Kansas City Fire Department, where he retired a captain after 30 years of serving the community. Phil was a 50 year member and actively involved in the Local 42 Firefighter's Union. He married his wife of 59 years, Violet Wilkinson, after she emigrated to the United States from Ireland. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing with his grandkids, and traveling. Phil would take his family on camping vacations when his daughters were young and also loved visiting Violet’s family in Belfast Northern Ireland. It was one of his favorite places to go. Being in the Navy and serving on the USS Midway was a great source of pride in his life. The ship is now permanently stationed in San Diego where he visited on several occasions. He also enjoyed chatting with his neighbors about the neighborhood he prided himself for knowing well.

He is survived by his loving wife, Violet Shelton; two daughters: Caroline Wills and Elizabeth (Kurt) Hamilton; grandchildren: Caitlin (Ryan) Knuth, Tyler (Kathleen) Wills, Megan Wills, Chase Hamilton, Brady Hamilton; and his great-grandchildren: Holland Knuth, Braeden Knuth, and Thomas Wills.

Visitation will be 6-8PM, Thursday, October 22, 2020, with military honors being rendered at 6:15PM, at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: IAFF Local 42 of Greater Kansas City, KCFD Community Assistance Program, Attention: Pam Solomon, 6320 Manchester Ave., Kansas City, MO 64133.