Yet another one of Butler County’s business leaders has left us.

We find the responsibility to write in just a few short words the many positive things that were part of another legend falling to the senior guy at the Eagle. In many ways that is an honor, but it also beats through again that we all have a limited amount of time here to do what we want to do while it fits into God’s plan.

Ed Shields was one of those men who probably adjusted his goals on a regular basis as he achieved and moved on to the next. He started Ed Shields Realty in 1971 and built on its success for 50 years. “List with Ed Shields and start packing” was a great slogan for his real estate company. His positive attitude toward life and business was a constant, which shown through in that slogan, which predicted success and confidence.

Ed’s life ended near home, near his office and near the place he loved to go to dine and relax. He was not a flashy person despite his business success. He was quick to offer a compliment when he read something of ours which he enjoyed.

He practiced faithfully the phrase “happy wife, happy life” as he and his wife, Grace, were seen together more often than apart. They raised a family of successful children and grandchildren.

If you knew Ed, you probably heard about the history of Scouting in his family because he was quite proud of it. Four generations all earning the Eagle Scout award is an amazing feat, and Ed was very proud of it.

There is also another sad note to this story as we look back on the history of local small real estate companies in Butler County. In the past few years we have lost John Capers, Ron West and, now, Ed Shields. All were enthusiastic, successful, dedicated men to their professions, to the community and to their families.

There is a rock song the makes the statement “if you believe in heaven; you know they have a hell of a band.” That lyric referenced the number of deaths of Rock and Roll legends that had died.

Yes, heaven has a hell of a band but now it also has a one hell of an office full of Butler’s finest to sell those mansions inside the pearly gates. Rest in peace our friend and business partner. Many people here were better off because they took your advice and “listed with Shields and started packing.”

— RV