Shamus Bryan Woltz, MSgt-USAF (Ret.) (formally known as James “Jim” Woltz) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, by way of Okaloosa County Florida and Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on September 23, 2021 due to complications from congestive heart failure.

So many words describe Shamus: dedicated warrior, beloved husband, terrific father, dear friend. He asks that we celebrate his life, not mourn his death: “Go to your favorite pub, have a Guinness, and raise a toast to Shamus Bryan Woltz!”

Shamus is survived by Leah Ransom, his loving wife of 30 years; his daughter Ashley Woltz-Reeves; two grandsons Austin Reeves and Bryson Reeves; brother Michael Woltz and wife Dariel; two sisters Michele Woltz and husband John Montaro (deceased) and JoAnne Woltz; in-laws Clarence “Lee” and Shirley R. Ransom. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Thomas Woltz and Mary Donohue-Woltz, and older brother Thomas Woltz.

Shamus grew up in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and joined the Air Force in 1966 to serve two tours in Viet Nam, then Anchorage Alaska. He left active duty to join the Air Force Reserve Special Operations Group atDuke Field, near Ft. Walton Beach Florida. As a member of the elite “Ghostriders” Shamus served on numerous missions with the AC-130 Gunships to include Desert Storm 1991.

Shamus retired from Special Operations in 2006, and in 2011 he and Leah moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to enjoy retirement.

A military funeral with full honors will be held at Barrancas National Veterans Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida on December 10, 2021 at 1:30pm (Naval Air Station, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, FL 32508). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warriors or other veterans charities.