William Meneely Shepard

Bill was born 16 September 1928 in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, the second child and only son of Raymond Dalton and Janet Meneely Shepard. He attended elementary and secondary schools in Montclair, graduating from High School in June 1946.

He entered the Missouri School of Mines (now the University of Missouri at Rolla) in the fall of 1946 graduating with a B.S. in 1951 and an M.S. in 1952 in Mining Engineering with a Mining Geology option. Following two years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he began his career in mining exploration with Bear Creek Mining Company, a subsidiary of Kennecott Copper Corporation. His 17-year career with Kennecott included four years as mine geologist at a lead-silver underground mine in Utah. His other primary employer was AMAX where he supervised mine geologists and worked in exploration for molybdenum. Following 12 years with AMAX he worked in administrative positions and as a geologic consultant for a number of companies and organizations. His only remaining interest in the mining business was an ownership interest in a small rock quarrying operation in southern New Mexico. His last “employment” (not a job according to his wife) was working as an usher for the Colorado Rockies baseball team at Coors field.

In addition to his “hobby” of ushering at Coors field, Bill enjoyed watching most all sports on TV and in person, reading about history (which is also available on TV), collecting rocks and minerals and dabbling in genealogy.

Bill married Shirley Greig, a native of Rolla, Missouri 17 May 1952. This union produced two children; Jane Elizabeth born in Provo, Utah 3 July 1956 and Steven Greig born in Denver, Colorado 7 March 1959. Bill and Shirley were divorced in July 1979. On 18 November 1979 Bill and Nancy Knapp McAbee were married and in 1984 Bill Adopted Nancy’s daughter Kelly Lynette McAbee.

Survived by his wife, Nancy. They would have celebrated 46 years of marriage on 18 November 2025. Daughter, Jane (David) Thaden; their children, Linsey (Vinnie) Lobosco; Andra (Matt) Perrela. Son, Steven (Emily) Shepard; their children, MacGregor (Elise) Shepard, (two great-granddaughters); Moira Shepard; Campbell Shepard.

Preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Janet Shepard; his sister, Mary Hamilton; and his daughter Kelly Shepard.