Wallace Chesley Shields, 88, of Lexington, Virginia, died Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at the Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital.

The Rev. Canon Shields was born July 20, 1928 at Riverside, Virginia, a son of the late Orville Edward Shields and Mary Wallace (Collins) Shields.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, James Edward Shields; and his sister, Katie Lou Shields.

The Rev. Canon Shields graduated from Fairfield High School, Rockbridge County in 1945, receiving his Bachelor Degree from the University of Richmond (Phi Beta Kappa), in 1950. He attended Crozer (Baptist) Seminary in Chester, PA, then, upon entering the Episcopal Church, finished his theological education at St. Luke's Seminary of the University of the South, Sewanee, TN, receiving a Master of Divinity, in 1955.

He was ordained to the Diaconate at Robert E. Lee Chapel, in 1955 and to the priesthood at St. Mary's Church Bluefield, W. Virginia in 1956. After having served Virginia parishes in Bluefield, Pocahontas, Falls Church and Colonial Beach, the Rev. Canon Shields returned to teaching public school, having taught for a year between college and seminary.

He continued to work in the ministry part-time while teaching in Waynesboro, Botetourt County and Alleghany County. During this time, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Hollins University. Additionally, the Rev. Canon Shields served the parishes of St. John's in Glasgow, St. Mark's in Fincastle, and Trinity in Buchanan, VA.

After being received into the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States of the Anglican Catholic Church of North America in 1979, he served St. Stephen's Clifton Forge, St. Thomas of Canterbury in Roanoke, St. Michael's, Lewisburg and various other churches in the Diocese. During this period, he was named Canon to the Ordinary by the Rt. The Rev. William DeJ. Rutherfoord. He retired from teaching public school in 1986, returning to the ministry full time. He served St. David's, Charlottesville for 4 years then served St. Francis, Blacksburg for 9 years. During that time, he continued to serve St. David's, St. Thomas of Canterbury and St. Peter's Christiansburg, as well as Good Shepherd, Abingdon.

Canon Shields also was senior priest of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic States, a member of the Diocesan Commission on Holy Orders as well as teaching Old Testament at the Harry B. Scott School of Theology, the Diocesan Seminary. The Rev. Canon Shields served St. Paul's Church, Lexington since 2008 until his retirement on All Saints Day, 2016.

Surviving are his wife, Alice Crittenden Shields; one son, John C. Shields; one daughter, Mary Ruth Shields; two stepsons, John J. Pickeral III and Charles W. Pickeral; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017 at the Harrison Funeral Home Chapel, Lexington. Burial will follow at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.