Death of 'Waller' Sheils

The death has occurred of the well-known Navan character, William Sheils, known to one and all as ‘Waller’. A Navan O’Mahonys clubman, he won a number of senior county football championships, and also enjoyed a period on the county team, winning a Leinster championship.
He died peacefully at his home, Boyne Valley Estate, Slane Road, Navan, on Sunday. Deceased worked in the town’s furniture industry, and was also a member of the Fire Service for many years. The family originated in Johnstown.
Waller Sheils was on Meath minor football and hurling teams in 1962 and was on Navan De La Salle MFC winning team that year.
With Navan O’Mahonys, he was on the SFC winning teams in 1963, playing centre field against St Vincent’s, and 1973, in the left half-back position against Ballivor. He has Keegan Cup runners-up medals from 1970 and ‘71, when Kilbride won in both years, ‘72 against Seneschalstown, and ‘75 against Summerhill.
Deceased was also a talented hurler, and captained O’Mahonys Intermediate Hurling Championship winning team of 1970. He was on the IHC-winning team, at left half-back, in 1961 when Salesian College, Drumree, was defeated in final, and also holds a 1979 IHC medal.
He played on the county senior football team for a number of years, and was on the Meath panel which won the Leinster SFC in 1964, bridging a gap of 10 years with a final victory over Dublin before losing to Galway in All-Ireland semi-final. He was Navan O’Mahonys assistant secretary from 1969 to ‘72.
Waller is survived by his wife, Kathleen, son, Michael, daughters, Caroline and Pamela, son-in-law, Val, sister, Gertie, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
His removal takes place from Fitzsimons Funeral Home, Navan, today, Tuesday, arriving at St Mary's Church for 7pm, and funeral takes place in St Mary’s Church on Wednesday at 10am, with burial afterwards in St Finian’s Cemetery.

 John Donohoe

 

Additional information: Noel Coogan