Worthen Pierce "W.P." Shields, age 79 of Bergman, Arkansas passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2015 in Bergman.

The son of Doyle and Ruth (Bridges) Shields was born on December 9, 1935 in Russellville, Arkansas.

W.P.'s passion was playing the fiddle and being center-stage. He won the Arkansas and California State Fiddle Championships and played locally for Presley Mountain Music Jamboree in Branson, Missouri and Pine Mountain Jamboree in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He also served his country in the United States Army. He loved his garden and fruit trees and spending time outdoors. He was a hard worker and built the house he lived in at Bergman. He especially loved his family and they were all very dear to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Burneil Shields, Bill Shields and Eddie Shields; and one great-granddaughter, Everly Young.

He is survived by a son, Ray Shields and longtime girlfriend, Katherine Jackson; two daughters, Teresa Tonne and Angela Craig and husband Richard; 3 brothers, L.D. Shields, Wayne Shields and Powell Shields; 2 sisters, Chris Johnson and Lenora Edenstrom; 5 grandchildren, Josh Shields, Jacob Shields, Matthew Tonne, R.J. Craig and Katherine Craig Young; 6 great-grandchildren, Jackson Shields, Jonathan Shields, Jesse Shields, Peyton Shields, Hannah Shields and Audrianna Shields; his former wife, Kathy Jackson; his special friend of many years, Kathy Ramsey and many, many friends who will mourn his passing.

Cremation arrangements are by Coffman Funeral Home of Harrison. Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com.