William C. Shepherd

He attended Mansfield Senior High and was a veteran of the United States Navy serving on the USS Wisconsin and the USS Canberra. He retired from welder maintenance at General Motors following over 35 years of service and enjoyed collecting General Motors Model Cars. He was a loyal member and advocate of Local 549 UAW Union and enjoyed getting together with the retirees from General Motors for breakfast. Bill was also a member of the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels. He was ornery with a quick wit and also enjoyed gardening and taking care of his house and yard.

He is survived by a daughter, Connie Gerhart of Reynoldsburg; three sons, Bill (Jackie) Shepherd of Shelby, Rick Shepherd of Columbus and Curtis Gerhart of Tennessee; 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Mazel Miley of Mansfield; two brothers, Riley Shepherd of Loudonville and Dial (Betty) Shepherd of Columbus; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Mae Shepherd; a son, Chris Gerhart; three brothers, Tom, Diamond and Floyd Shepherd; two sisters, Darcus Wynn and Dailey Blank; and a brother-in-law, Jim Miley.

Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond Street, Mansfield. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2016 at the funeral home conducted by Celebrant Mark Dettmer. Burial will follow in Bellville Cemetery where full military honors will be conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial contributions may be made to Home Care Matters Hospice.