William "Shelby" Godwin, 85, long time resident of Udall, Kansas passed peacefully from this life on Saturday, September 22, 2012, surrounded by his loving family at William Newton Hospital in Winfield.

Born on June 22, 1927 in Ballard, Arkansas, he was the son of Elijah Ransom and Martelia (Horton) Godwin. He married Betty Jean Phillips on March 10, 1948, moving with his wife and children to Udall, Kansas in 1951. Shelby was a devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend.

Shelby worked as an aircraft mechanic for Boeing for 39 years. He was a charter member of the First Baptist Church of Udall, volunteering his time and many talents. Shelby had resided at the Kansas Veterans' Home since February 2011. He will always be remembered as a giving, kind and loving person.

He is survived by his three children, daughter Sibyl Taylor and husband, Frank of Collinsville, Oklahoma; son Ray Godwin and wife, Pat of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and son Rick Godwin and wife, Sheana of Udall, Kansas; two sisters, Ruby Hastings of Wenatchee, Washington; and Jackie Arnold of Grand Coulee, Washington; eight grandchildren, Erin, Mandy, Adam, Jenny, Joey, Brian, Brent, and Bryan; 19 great grandchildren, Zak, Jack, Jared, Lauren, Zane, Lucas, Evelyn, Zyan, Jacob, Peyton, Olivia, Avery, Hagen, Landry, Trace, Wyatt, Logan, Tucker, and Easton; and one great-great grandson, Aiden. He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother (Mae Walker Godwin), wife, and two grandsons, Paul Godwin and William Clark Godwin.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Udall. Interment will follow at the Udall Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Monday evening, September 24, 2012 from 4 to 8. The family will greet visitors from 6 to 8 that evening.

A memorial has been established in Shelby's name for the First Baptist Church of Udall. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.