Willie R. Phinn Shannon, affectionately known to his family as "Lick" was born October 14, 1937, in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He was one of twenty-five children born to the Candis Stubbs and James C. Shannon Sr. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, twenty-two siblings and grandson, James Murray.

After completing high school, Willie embarked on a journey of exploration, traveling to various states before finally deciding to make Kansas City, Kansas his permanent home. It was here that he met and married Betty Jean Smith in 1963 and lovingly helped raise two children. Willie had a diverse career. He worked for General Motors, Van Chevrolet and later owned his owned business Shannon Auto Sales. He was employed with Forest Hill Cemetery until his health began to decline.

Family and friends were central to Willie's life. He cherished spending time with them during holidays and looked forward to going home to Mississippi annually to attend the Shannon Family Reunions.

Willie will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his love for life. He leaves behind a family who will continue to honor his memory and celebrate his life, his wife of sixty-one years, Betty; three daughters, Cherri Germany (Jay),of Shawnee, KS, Gail Murray of Kansas City, MO, Phyllis (Darnell) Young of Dallas, TX; one son, Myron Lindsey (Bonita) of Conway, AR,  six grandchildren, Myonna Mosley ( Darvin of Twin Grives, AR, Keianthony (Sha) Cummings of Twin Groves, AR, Toiauna Mitchell of Dallas, TX, Eleanor Coyle of Kansas city, KS, Virgil Coyle of Kansas City, KS and Atlas Coyle of Kansas City, KS. two Sisters; Mattie Shannon of New Orleans, LA and Barbra Reese of Hazlehurst, MS, one brother; Thomas "TJ" Shannon (Deloris) of East St. Louis, IL and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.