Collins, MS
Funeral Home
Billy M. King Colonial Chapel
Visitation
Service
A Private Family Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Obituary
Look Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero who Served in the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten.” In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service, which our military men and women have given to their country and our state, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard memorializing its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation. Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on August 27, 2026 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Staff Sergeant William Dale Shoemake, Jr., age 89, Collins, MS, who served with 623rd Ordinance Company, has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.
It takes a special person to serve in the military for their country, sacrificing time with family time, comfort, and safety to ensure all Americans can enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country.
A special message from General Douglas MacArthur remains relevant today for our servicemen who have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Rest in peace, soldier. We honor your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family’s support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so brightly, and live so freely.
You have now earned your rest, so go fly with the angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is complete. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ love for the Father and the Son.
Another great soldier has gone home—“Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life.”
Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:
William Dale Shoemake, Jr.
(August 24, 1937 – August 27, 2026)
A Private Family Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at a later date for William Dale Shoemake, Jr. 89 of Collins, who passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at his residence.
Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Shoemake was born on August 24, 1937, in Collins, Mississippi to William Dale Shoemake Sr, and Velma McRaney Shoemake. He was a graduate of Collins High School Class of 1955 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana. Mr. Shoemake proudly served his country in the United States Army-National Guard. He worked in the sporting goods retail industry for many years until his retirement. Mr. Shoemake was a member of the First Baptist Church in Collins.
Mr. Shoemake enjoyed attending sporting events and working on the family farm. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Mr. Shoemake loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed by them all.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Dale Shoemake Sr. and Velma McRaney Shoemake; his daughter, Kelly Shoemake Little; a grandson, Kyler Scott Little; and his sister, Betty Jean Shoemake Moore.
Survivors include his wife of sixty-four years, Marie Thames Shoemake of Collins; two sons, Billy Shoemake, and his wife, Debra of Madison, and Stephen Shoemake, and his wife, Kim of Sumrall; one brother, David Shoemake, and his wife, Jo of Collins; seven grandchildren, Kayla Elizabeth Little, Kaitlyn Little Calongne, and her husband, Cameron, Karlye Anne Little, Alise Marie Shoemake, William Joseph Shoemake, Porter Thames Shoemake, and Presley Kate Shoemake; two great-grandchildren, Kyle Calongne and Kirby Calongne; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Collins, P.O. Box 997, Collins, Mississippi, 39428.
The Shoemake family wants to thank everyone for any act of kindness shown to them and asks that you continue to pray for them during the days and weeks to come. May God bless you all.
Family members and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com