Shell script does not exit to the prompt - linux

Question

I have a shell script ws_appl_process that stop/start WebSphere servers:
#!/bin/sh
# ------------------------------------
# WebSphere Application Server process
# ------------------------------------
# PLEASE NOTE: This script assumes no spaces in the server names
# Finally, alter $APPSERVERS if server1 is required to start
PROF_HOME="/opt/WebSphere/AppServer855/profiles/xxxxxx"
## set colors
ec=`tput setaf 1` # error color
rc=`tput sgr 0` # reset color to default
if [ ! -d $PROF_HOME ];then
echo " "
echo "${ec}WARNING:${rc} unable to locate directory $PROF_HOME! No action taken."
echo " "
else
. $PROF_HOME/bin/setupCmdLine.sh
SERVERDIR=$PROF_HOME/config/cells/$WAS_CELL/nodes/$WAS_NODE/servers
APPSERVERS=`ls $SERVERDIR | egrep -v "jmsserver|nodeagent|web$"`
case "$1" in
'start')
# delay start by 30 seconds to let OS 'calm down' on startup
sleep 30
# start jmmserver first, if applicable
if [ -f $SERVERDIR/jmsserver/server.xml ]; then
$PROF_HOME/bin/startServer.sh jmsserver
fi
# start all servers found in config directory
for i in $APPSERVERS;do
$PROF_HOME/bin/startServer.sh $i &
sleep 1
done
;;
'stop')
for i in $APPSERVERS;do
$PROF_HOME/bin/stopServer.sh $i &
done
if [ -f $SERVERDIR/jmsserver/server.xml ]; then
$PROF_HOME/bin/stopServer.sh jmsserver
fi
;;
*)
echo "Usage: $0 { start | stop }"
exit 1
esac
fi
exit $?
Running this script
./ws_appl_process stop
will do what is intended, e.g. stop or start.
However, the script does NOT return to the prompt e.g. user#server:~>.
I have to manually hit the <RETURN> or <ENTER> key to get to the prompt.
I have tried to modify the last command
exit $?
to
exit 0
or
exit $?
exit 0
with no luck.
I need the script to return automatically to the prompt. The reason is that I am automating the monitor of the servers, and eventually bring them back, i.e.
./ws_appl_process start
The OS:
Linux xxxxxx 3.0.101-108.101-default #1 SMP Tue Aug 13 08:31:17 UTC 2019 (d0a7b7a) x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
The shell:
GNU bash, version 3.2.57(2)-release (x86_64-suse-linux-gnu)
Copyright (C) 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
How can I force the script back to the prompt?
Appreciate any comments.