Benjamin Shaw

Benjamin Denny Shaw Ben Shaw passed away on Wednesday, January 7th, 2015 at his home north of Wickenburg. Ben was born to Benjamin Eustace Douglas and Lucy Bates (Denny) Shaw in Chicago, Illinois, where he lived his early life until his family moved a hundred miles west to Grand Detour, Illinois. He spent several years in the Army before graduating with his degree in business administration in 1964 from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky where he'd met Elizabeth Pierce Smith. Ben and Pierce were married in Bardstown, Kentucky on December 30, 1964. Ben oversaw the Dixon Publishing Company in Dixon, Illinois as general manager. He also served as vice chairman on the board of directors for Shaw Media, which consists of dozens of print and online publications in northern Illinois and central Iowa. He later went on to found and sell Dixon Cable TV with his father and brother Tom. In 1976, Ben moved his family to a working ranch Mancos, Colorado where the family raised Paso Fino horses as well as cattle, hay and other livestock. Ben and Tom also opened The Durango Stockman western-wear retail store, and Ben went on to sell first generation satellite TV systems before he purchased and operated the Mancos Valley Bank. When Ben was ready to "retire" in 1996 he and Pierce moved to Wickenburg, Arizona. Ben loved spending as much time as possible with his family and friends and was often described as the person who "never met a stranger". He had many close friends over the years with whom he pursued many hobbies and passions including: treasure-diving, general aviation, off-road Jeep racing, sailing, shooting, vacation cruises and the weekly Wickenburg poker night. Ben is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pierce Shaw of Wickenburg; daughter Natalie (Jeff) Dalton of Scottsdale; son Justin (Kimberly) Shaw of Philadelphia; son Brad (Anneliese) Shaw of Colorado Springs, sister Ellabeth (Jim) Collins of Dixon; sister Lucy (Bill) LeFevre of Grand Detour; sister Libby (Ted) Moss of Lake Forest; brother Thomas (Tammy) Shaw, of Dixon; four grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Ben's favorite non-profits: - Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts - Wickenburg - Wickenburg Community Hospital Foundation - Desert Caballeros Western Museum - Wickenburg