Friends, colleagues pay tribute to Walt Shannon at retirement party

SALISBURY —Friends and colleagues gathered at The White Hart on Friday, Nov. 20, to honor Walt Shannon, retiring after 50 years in the insurance business.

Bill Willis said, “Walt is celebrating 50 years in the insurance industry and believe it or not he is not boring or an overly aggressive sales guy. He is much gentler than that lizard we see on TV. He is a loveable, dynamic, independent insurance agent.

“Walt was our Aristotle of Insurance, he was our in-house continuing education professor,� said Willis, who worked for years with Shannon at the Wagner McNeil Insurance Agency (which he purchased in 1974), it became The Founders Group in 1999.

In addition, Walt took care of his clients, Willis said. He was at the scene of most claim emergencies to help them navigate the process of filing claims. He wasn’t an ambulance chaser, but gave a helping hand to his clients. And he gave an insurance carrier a swift kick in the behind to get them moving when it was necessary, Willis said.

“It may have been his good hands or the size of his shoe that got things resolved.

“Walt was generous and helpful to many community organizations and people who came to his office. His tradition of philanthropy is a growing and established part of our business community.

“Walt is a gentleman the insurance industry is going to miss. Thank you for all that you have done over the past half century in the insurance industry and for our community.

“You are a legend, and I am sure that lizard is green with envy.�