Stephen Fowler Shaw

Stephen Fowler Shaw, “Hondo”, passed from this earth at his home in Billings, Mont. on July 16, 2015 after fighting metastatic prostate cancer for nine years.

Steve was born on Sept. 16, 1957 in Rawlins, Wyo. to Jock and Yvonne (Roop) Shaw, the youngest of four children. He grew up in Saratoga, Wyo. and graduated from Saratoga High School in 1975. During his high school years, he enjoyed and excelled in wrestling and football. He was a three-time individual state champion in wrestling, played on a state championship football team and was selected for the Shrine Bowl his senior year.

After his high school graduation, Steve attended Rocky Mountain College in Billings where he played football and earned his teaching degree. He was a teacher and coach in Hardin and Billings, mentoring many young people throughout his 26 year career. Steve was recently nominated to the Rocky Mountain College Athletic Hall of Fame.

He married the love of his life, Karla Kershner, in 1987. They made their home and raised their two children, Jessa and Rylan, in Billings. Two of Steve’s greatest joys were Jessa’s marriage to Alec Goplen in January and Rylan’s college graduation in May.

A devout Catholic, Steve attended daily Mass as often as possible and felt blessed to have traveled to Medjugorje, Yugoslavia on a pilgrimage with his mother. He lived his faith by loving his neighbors including shoveling driveways, bailing storm water and lending a hand to anyone in need.

When Steve received his diagnosis, he said, “some good will come of this!” It did — he had nine years to do the things he enjoyed with friends and family. He went fishing, hunting, skiing and boating. He traveled to watch his teams, the Wyoming Cowboys, Virginia Tech Hokies and the Kansas City Chiefs. He enjoyed his personal music collection and Big Head Todd concerts at Red Rocks. Steve went to family reunions, got together with his coaching buddies and golfed with the greatest bunch of guys (“the boys”). Best of all, he was able to spend precious, quality time with his family and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Jock Shaw and Yvonne (Roop) Shaw York; his stepfather, Ol’ Jim York; two siblings, Jock, Jr. and Terry. He is survived by his wife, Karla, his daughter Jessa (Alec) Goplen, his son, Rylan and his sister Karen (Cy) Johnson.

Vigil was held on July 19 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Billings. The funeral mass was also held at the church on July 20.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Riverstone Hospice.