Willis H. Shaw

He was born May 22, 1937, in the town of Conewango, the son of the late Wilbert George and Helen Maude (Valentine) Shaw.

Harry was a 1955 graduate of Randolph Central School and a 1962 graduate of Cornell University School of Animal Husbandry (1955-1962). He began his 63-year career as a practicing veterinarian in Aurora, IL before moving to St. Johnsbury Center, VT in 1964. During the mid to late 1970s, he worked as veterinarian for the State of Vermont and later the federal government.

Upon returning to Western New York in 1980, he worked alongside Herb Jones, DVM in South Dayton. He went on to establish his own clinic in Randolph, where he continued his private practice for the remainder of his life, and also worked with the Chautauqua County Humane Society as their veterinarian.

He was a member of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society, American Veterinary Medical Association, and a past member of the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association where he served as secretary for many years. Later in life, he served a term as a Town Board Member for the town of Conewango.

Throughout his life, he kept and tended to a variety of animals on his own farm – horses, pigs, turkeys, rabbits, chickens, dogs, cats, peacocks, a small herd of Jersey cattle, and most recently, his beloved miniature donkeys.

He is survived by his wife Deborah J. (Mills) Shaw; a brother Charles Shaw of Sherrills Ford, NC; four daughters Julia Beth Shaw of Georgetown, KY, Bonnie Gwyn (Raymond “Kelly” Kelton) Shaw of Bridport, VT, Jennifer Ann (Jerry) Fekete of Athens, TN, and Mary Kathleen Shaw DVM of North Bennington, VT; two step-children Mills (Danielle Myers) Colbert and Juliana Vanover all of Jamestown, NY; three grandchildren Camden Shaw (Emily) Jordan of Southern Pines, NC, Marisa Kate Jordan of Georgetown, KY, and William Alexander Kane of Lenore City, TN; and a step-grandson Tristen Vanover of Jamestown, NY. He is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Autumn (VanVolkinburg) Shaw, and a sister Ada Jean Blood.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-5 PM, Sunday, March 23, 2025 at the VanRensselaer & Son Funeral Home, 14 Church St., Randolph, NY. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and will be announced.

To send a condolence, please log onto www.vanrensselaerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials if desired may be sent to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.