passed away at his home in Wickenburg, AZ., on January 10th, 2019. He was born in Scott County, KY., on December 5th, 1932, the first of two sons to Roy Delmer Shirley and Vivian (Bonnie) Esther Jones Shirley.
At the age of 5, Charlie and family moved to Oregon and the family traveled the West Coast till age 13. Just after WW II they returned to Kentucky where he finished High School.
Charlie enjoyed his 5 years in the Navy with duty in both the 7th and 6th Fleet, including: an 18 Mo. tour on Guam and various assignments in the Far East, a prestigious cruise around South America where he was converted from a "pollywog" to a "shellback" as USS Franklin D Roosevelt (CVA-42) crossed the Equator AND rounded South America to join the 6th Fleet in the Atlantic for a tour to Europe and around the Caribbean Sea.
Civilian life started with a 6 year look at Kansas City after which Charlie came to Arizona and worked for Motorola for 29.5 years as an Electronic Tech and an Equipment Engineer. While there he met and married Martila Inez Makula and truly enjoyed a very happy life with her. This happiness was complimented by two daughters, two sons-in-law and three granddaughters.
Charlie and Martila retired to Wickenburg, AZ., in 1996 and enjoyed busy lives of Appalachian music, projects, lots of travels and his very Dear Family and Friends.
He is survived by his wife, Martila Inez (Makula) Shirley.
Daughter Isabel Maria Hochhaus (Martin Dean), Granddaughters Natalie Inez, Erika Marie of Tempe AZ.
Daughter Sonja Natalie Bochart (Bradley David), Granddaughter Lyla Inez also of Tempe.
Daughter Robin Holmes of Camden, MO. - previous marriage
Daughter Shelley Jet of Linn Creek, MO. - previous marriage
Brother William Joe Shirley and wife Elouise of Cantonment FL.
He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Vivian (Jones) Shirley and son Scott E. Shirley.
Charlie was a member of The Masonic Lodge 33 of Blue Springs Mo. and affiliated in Lodge 31 of Peoria, AZ.
Services will be held on February 4th, at 11:00am at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, at 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity.