Shirley Kay (Williams) Bissey, 79, of Calhoun, died Friday, January 27, 2023, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Shirley was born January 19, 1944 in Olney, IL, the daughter of Calvin L. and Velma A. (Haenggi) Williams. She married Larry P. Bissey on July 7, 1962.

She graduated from East Richland High School in 1962. Shirley was a military wife, raising her family as she followed Larry on his assignments to bases in Landstuhl, Germany (Greg), Aberdeen, Maryland (Gary), Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (Grady) and Fort Dix, New Jersey (Beverly). She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Olney. She was well known for her community involvement, leading Olney’s First United Methodist Church’s Operation Shoebox Mission and volunteering for the meal ministry.  Likewise, family was always her top priority. She had limitless love for her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her mission was to spread both faith and love even through the hardships.

Shirley is survived by sons, Gregory (Rayna), of Effingham, and Grady, of Columbus, IN; sister, Linda Hudson, of Olney; daughter-in-law, Angela K. Bissey (the late Gary Bissey), of Olney; son-in-law, Colin Bower (the late Beverly Bower), of Calhoun; grandsons, Landon Bissey, Addison and Adrian Bower, and Anthony Bissey; granddaughters, Clara and Catherine Bissey. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry P. Bissey, of Calhoun; parents, Calvin L. and Velma A. (Haenggi) Williams, of Calhoun; grandparents, Louis and Anna Haenggi, of Calhoun; brother, Floyd Williams, of Calhoun; son, Gary Bissey, of Olney; daughter, Beverly Bower (Bissey), of Calhoun; brother-in-law, Fred Hudson, of Olney; sister-in-law, Barbara Williams, of Calhoun; and many special friends.

Memorials may be made to Operation Christmas Child (Shoebox Ministry) c/o Joy Class at the First United Methodist church in Olney. 

Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 1st from 5-7 PM at Thrasher Family Funeral Home Chapel in Olney. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 2nd at 10:30 AM at First United Methodist Church in Olney with Pastor Jeff Bealmear officiating. Burial will be in Richland Cemetery outside of Calhoun.

Thrasher Family Funeral Home, Olney, IL