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Billy Shafer

March 10, 2002 - April 8, 2023

James William “Billy” Shafer II, 21, of Ankeny passed away unexpectedly on April 8, 2023.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, April 21, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd.).  A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday April 22, 2023, also at the funeral home with interment at a later date at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.

Billy was born to Bill and Heather Shafer in Waterloo, Iowa, on March 10, 2002.  He grew up and attended grade school, middle school and high school through 10^th grade in Farmington, MN.  After moving to Ankeny in 2019, he graduated from Ankeny Centennial High School.  Billy was an avid video gamer and enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends.  He was active in Boy Scouts and played baseball before high school.  He umpired from the age of 11, played soccer and golf, and enjoyed playing in the front line in the marching band in Farmington.

Billy began his culinary training at DMACC as a senior at Ankeny Centennial.  After graduation, he enrolled in the Iowa Culinary Institute (ICI) at DMACC where his skills as a baker and chef shone.  Billy was very excited to pursue his career, and had recently begun to narrow his focus, and make extra investments and plans toward his very bright future. He had big plans.

Billy was very caring, with a heart of gold. He had an awesome sense of humor, and he absolutely loved his friends and family.

Billy is survived by his parents James “Bill” and Heather Shafer, his brother Jesse Shafer, His Grandparents Dick and Jane Shafer, his Uncle Brian (Julie) Shafer, Aunt Sue Burright, Uncle Joe (Kelly) Disney, Uncle Mike Disney, Great-uncle Doug Wendelboe, and his cousins Jordan, Savanna, Cadee, Austin, Chloe, and Brody and other loving family and friends.

Billy was preceded in death by his Grandmother Lorrie Canny and Grandfather James Disney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be used for a scholarship donation in Billy’s name to support the French Chef Exchange Program at the ICI at DMACC.