AM3 Heath Bradley “Scrappy” Shilling

21, US Navy

July 15 marks the passing of AM3 Heath Bradley “Scrappy” Shilling, US Navy, 21. We honor and remember him, his family and his mother Rose Shilling of Glen Dale, WV.

Heath Shilling died in a motorcycle accident July 15th, 2001, in Norfolk VA while on active duty with the US Navy. He was 21 years old.

Heath was born in Glen Dale, WV, on December 13th, 1979.  Ever since middle school, Heath had gone by his nickname “scrappy”. He graduated from John Marshall High School in 1998. Heath loved motorcycles, his truck and baseball.

He joined the Navy after graduation from high school in 1998 and worked as an Aviation Hydraulic Mechanic. According to his father Don Shilling (USN Retired) Heath just wanted to live happily. Heath had planned to make the Navy his career and follow in his father’s footsteps. PO Shilling was assigned to HCS-4, Red Wolves Helicopter Squadron and was Junior Sailor of the Quarter, 2001.

His father remembers Heath as always working hard in the Navy and loving motorcycles and baseball. “He liked baseball and goofing off with friends because he was a typical 21 year old. ‘I’m gonna have fun first’, which he did… all the time”, said his father.

His family said you almost never saw him without a smile on his face, and he would do anything for anyone.

Unfortunately, Heaths father Don Shilling passed in Jan 2024. He is survived by his mother Rose and his sister Amber and brother Robert. 

Let us always remember him, his family his mother and always…

Say His Name.

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