Roll Call Tribute

William Arthur "Bill" Shortt 

August 17, 1931 - June 13, 2024 

William Arthur "Bill" Shortt, 92, of Bowie, MD died on June 13, 2024 at the Masonic Home of Virginia in Richmond, VA. Born in Charleston, SC on August 17, 1931, Bill grew up as an "Army Brat", spending childhood in Sullivan's Island, SC, Richland, GA, and North Augusta, SC. His family lived in post-war Germany (1947-49) where Bill graduated from Nurnberg Dependents High School in 1949

Four years in the Air Force took him to Biloxi, MS and Shreveport, LA. He earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1957 and moved to Northern Virginia for his first job. He married the love of his life, Sonia Lynn Krages, in 1959. They settled in Annandale, VA, moved to Omaha, NE in 1973 and back to the Washington, DC area in 1977 where they made Bowie, MD their home.

Bill worked for several engineering firms and retired from Fairchild Space where he worked on several NASA space programs.

Bill was an active Freemason, Scottish Rite Mason, and Shriner. He was a member of Fort-Hunt Skidmore Lodge #353, Springfield Lodge #217, and Mount Vernon Lodge #219 in Virginia. He previously belonged to Miloma Lodge in Omaha, NE, and Perfect Union #10 in San Antonio, TX. He was also a member of Shriners International joining Alzafar in San Antonio, TX, Tangier Temple in Omaha, NE, and Kena Temple in Manassas, VA. He joined the Scottish Rite in San Antonio, TX and most of his years belonged to the Valley of Alexandria, VA where he was recognized as a 68-year member and was honored as a 32° KCCH. He served as District Deputy Grand Master in Virginia and was a longtime Ambassador for Masonic Home of Virginia.

Bill served as an Advisor and HLOH for DeMolay International helping guide the lives of young men; a driver for Shriners Hospitals; and a tour guide at the G.W. Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA.

Bill was married to Sonia for 59 years until her death in 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Nelson Shortt and Mary Agnes Williams Shortt; a sister, Mary Virginia Shortt Jones ("Casey"). He leaves a daughter, Sally Jean Moore (Michael); a son, Philip Arthur Shortt (Carol); grandchildren Elizabeth Cardona, Alexander Cardona (Bethany), Bradley Shortt, Amanda Bowen (Nick), Ashley Shortt (Brandon), Brooke Nolan (Brennan), Spencer Shortt, Paige Shortt and great-grandchildren Landon, Kennedy, Ashton "Luke", Laykin, Blakely, Avereigh, and Julian Bowen.

Bill was always willing to share a story, or several, with you. His distinctive laugh was recognizable in any crowd.

A Masonic service and Celebration of Life will be held August 3, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the Alexandria Scottish Rite Temple, 1430 West Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA. Interment will be later at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Masonic Home of Virginia or The Scottish Rite Foundation.