Worcester Bus Contractor Makes Final Runs Of 42-Year Career

WEST OCEAN CITY — “Happy Trails” was the appropriate theme this afternoon for an emotional sendoff for a Worcester County Public Schools bus driver making his last run after 42 years.

Bill Shockley, who has driven generations of local kids, now many adults with children of their own, to and from school for last four decades-plus, made his final run from Ocean City Elementary on Thursday afternoon following an emotional sendoff from students, teachers, staff, fellow bus drivers and parents. Shockley completed runs from Stephen Decatur High School and Berlin Intermediate earlier in the day and his busload of rambunctious elementary school students on Thursday was his last after a career that lasted 42 years plus.

Teachers blew bubbles and snapped pictures as Shockley made some farewells and goodbyes with fellow drivers and staff members with whom he had established long-term relationships over the years. When it came for the students to be released for the last day of the school year, chaos ensued as his young charges boarded the bus for the last time this year and the last time with Shockley ever.

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