Warren Shelton, Local 46 President passes away

ILWU Local 46 President Warren Shelton passed away suddenly on December 30, 2021. Warren was widely known in the union as a dedicated labor leader who cared deeply about the ILWU and its members.

Warren David Shelton was born in Kenora, Ontario, Canada on April 7, 1963, and moved with his family to Ventura, California, in the mid-1960s, where he attended Buena High School (Class of 1981) and then went on to attend Ventura College.

Warren followed his father’s footsteps and began work at the Port of Hueneme as a longshoreman at age 18, a profession he held for the next 40 years. In 1991, Warren served on the Labor Relations Committee. In 2002 he became a clerk and was continuously elected by the membership to serve as a local union officer in the roles of Trustee, Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and President.

In an interview with the Dispatcher in 2019, Warren said that he loved the work that he did on the docks. “I started off as a longshoreman and loved working in the hold. I loved driving winches. Those are things of the past now. I also loved working the military cargo because of all the different equipment that I got to drive,” he said.

When asked why he wanted to serve as an officer, Warren said, “I like sparring with employers, and I like making it better for our guys. It just upsets me when employers violate the contract.”

“We lost a true union soldier in the ILWU,” said Local 29 Vice President Anthony Soniga. “Warren was a great work colleague and an even better friend. I had the opportunity to work with Warren over the past 10 years as officers in small ports. His knowledge of the job was unmatched, as was his passion for the working waterfront. He will be deeply missed, but his fighting spirit will never be forgotten.”

Coast Committeeman Frank Ponce De Leon stated that, “Warren was a great family man, union man, and friend because he had a big heart and always worked hard to make people’s lives better.  I had the honor and privilege to work with Warren in his elected capacities as an officer and delegate for Local 46 for many years.  He loved helping people thrive, and had fun while doing it.  His passing is hitting a lot of us on the waterfront hard that we lost a good friend far too soon in life.  But despite the loss of his physical presence, I know that the Lord has assigned him to watch over us.  My heart and prayers go out to his wife, Kim, and his kids, Tanner and Paige, who I know meant the world to him.”

“Warren was my mentor and my friend.   He was a force to be reckoned with when it came to defending the local, the contract and the ILWU. He had a passion that was immeasurable when taking the fight to the employer,” said Local 46 Secretary-Treasurer Armando Mendez. “Some in the local used to call him ‘Little Harry Bridges,’ including my father, because he was always out to catch the employer violating the contract.

“Warren was also a wealth of information when it came to contract procedures, and he tried to instill that knowledge to those who were willing and open to learn. I was one of those who benefited from his knowledge and experience. Thank you, Warren, for all you did for Local 46 and the ILWU.  I could write a whole series of books just based on your advice.  You left too soon my friend. There was so much to learn from you.”

In 1988, Warren married the love of his life, Kim Wells. Warren was generous with his time and always willing to help others with whatever life presented, from being a supportive friend to assisting with home or automotive repairs. In his spare time, Warren loved to fish, hunt, play recreational ice hockey, travel, and experience the wine and culinary scenes wherever his travels took him.

Warren is survived by his wife, Kim Shelton; his son, Tanner Shelton (wife, Sara Shelton); his daughter, Paige Shelton (fiancé, Garrett Reynolds); his parents; Dave and Ellen Shelton; and his sister; Cheryl Whalen (Brian). He is also survived by his father and mother-in-law, Jim and Judy Wells; sister-in-laws, Jennifer Wells Armstrong and Becky Wells Gray (Randy). As well as numerous nieces and nephews and a network of extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, his family has asked that donations be made in memory of Warren to one of the following organizations that were meaningful to him: The Ventura Land Trust, or Must! Charities.