David "Buzzy" Lee Shill

On Monday morning, May 22, 2023, Dave was in Camp Verde having just driven up from Phoenix the night before with his wife and two little doggies. He got up early, got dressed wearing his Navy polo shirt and jeans and was discussing the days events with his wife over morning coffee. His plan was to drive down to Phoenix specifically to the Navy Support Centeron Luke AFB, to work as a Volunteer for Navy benefits office. He did this once or twice monthly on a Monday. He logged out at 1:30 and ran some errands throughout the day while in Phoenix. Dave was notorious about knowing the whereabouts and location of others. He was expected back up to Camp Verde the end of that day. I was beginning to worry when he wasn't calling back to Camp Verde at the end of day, both his daughter and me were trying to locate him by several text messages and phone calls. No answer…the tracking location on our cell for his location was showing he was still in Phoenix but he was not responding…

Dave was born on December 8, 1956 to Pete and Dorothy Shill in Cottonwood, Arizona. He grew up in Camp Verde with his sister, Debbie and brother Eddie. He attended Kindergarten (and failed, so he was sent back that year) but went on to graduate from Camp Verde High School. Attended Yavapai College; having received two degrees; AA and AAS in Computer Sciences (he also returned to Yavapai College just last year receiving yet another distinguishing certificate in HVAC systems) as well as, teaching his own class in “Fun with IPhones” class. He attended Northern Arizona University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the W.A. Frankie College of Business.

Dave worked for the local newspaper, Yellow Front stores, and helped his neighbors with various odd jobs. After attending NAU, Dave left Camp Verde to seek employment in Phoenix. He accepted a position as Computer Programmer for the Arizona State Department of Public Safety in the early 1980’s. He also worked on the side for people designing payroll programs for their businesses. ( He never accepted pay for this job, but accepted the home cooked meals they provided). After several promotions and pioneering the first LAN computer Novell network which established the first personal computing network for the DPS he accepted yet another position as an Information Technology Manager for the Arizona State Corporation Commission.  He retired from the State of Arizona having worked thirty (30) years.

Dave fulfilled a boyhood dream to join the U.S. Navy. He raised his hand and took a oath to join the U.S. Navy Reserve. Navy Supply Battalion Group (he was called a weekend warrior). In 2004, he was deployed to Kuwait during the Iraq/Desert Storm affair. After twenty- six (26) years of meritorious service with the U.S. Navy Reserve retired.

After retiring from both the State and the Navy Reserve, Dave volunteers for Navy Support Group located at Luke AFB, he went back to Yavapai College as a student and was nominated “most outstanding student” certificate in HVAC systems. He was asked by the Yavapai College to teach classes and setup his own class in the use of IPhones. (Fun with IPhones was the name of the class).

Dave grew up in the Verde Valley but moved to Phoenix to work, bought his first house in Ahwatukee and married Janet (35 years in November) and to start a family (son, Stephen, 33 and daughter, Kimberly, 32). Together, we bought the old red brick house from his father, Pete. Still working and living in Phoenix. His intentions to fix it up and retire in Camp Verde. He had the opportunity to expand the house by purchasing the adjoining acre lot next door, but one catch it had a house on it, so we accepted the house even though it was painted blue (he hated the color blue) First thing he did was to paint the house yellow (just to get rid of blue!) It is now referred to as the “yellow house on Quarterhorse Lane. (Our get-out-the-hot-summer from Phoenix house). After returning from his Navy deployment in 2005, he sold the little house (cottage) in Ahwatukee and purchased the big two-story house in the Foothills Reserve of Ahwatukee. Still holding on to the big two-story house to the present. It’s after both children moved out and up to Flagstaff to attend NAU, (rather than paying for college dorms or apartments for the children to live). He purchases a cabin in Kachina Village for them to stay while at NAU; but also a place to go to get out of hot Phoenix. (Keeping the big two-story house in Ahwatukee).

Dave had a passion for tinkering with anything and everything. Dave was a walking source of information/facts and knowledge. He excelled in several subjects especially in computers and HVAC systems.

He was known for his skills, knowledge and abilities to teach people who wanted to learn. Dave was a quiet, shy, introverted person; but that all changed as he grew older, married and in many relationships throughout his work and his Navy career. He loved to engage in conversations with all people he came in contact. He had so much to tell about history, computers, Apple phones and computers, John Deere equipment, as well as how things worked. His favorite read was a “technical manual”. His attention to detail made him a expert always ensuring the work be done correctly. He loved history, all things military, John Deere tractors, DeWalt tools, NorthFace, New Balance, Air shows, traveling, military bases, museums, SW art, DeWienerschnitzel hot dogs, and El Charro bean & cheese burros.

Dave was known to people by so many things. His nickname was “Buzzy” and mostly his family and close friends know that. Dave was all about family-he was a partner in life to his wife, Janet; a dad to his son Stephen and father-in-law to Amber, a grandad to his first grand baby, Peter David Shill due to arrive July 16, 2023. He was dad to daughter, Kim. A brother to sister, Debbie and Eddie. A brother-in-law to Dana and Craig and David and Sherry Phillips. An uncle to Marshall, Sean, Dawn and Stacey. Also, to Crissy, Ericka and Bobby. A cousin to many Shills and a friend to all.

Thank You For Your Service, Dave. Thank you for your understanding love to me, thank you for the most beautiful gift you gave me in our children, Stephen and Kimberly. You will always be in our hearts. Go In Peace.

A Viewing will begin at 10:00AM Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Bueler Funeral Home Chapel on 143 W. Arnold Street in Camp Verde, Arizona with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. A Graveside Ceremony will follow at the Shill Family Cemetery overlooking the Shield Ranch in Camp Verde, Arizona.

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