William Shepherd

SMSgt William A. ""Bill"" Shepherd, U. S. Air Force Ret, age 85, of Gulfport, MS entered into eternity in the presence of the living God in Gulfport, MS on March 4, 2014.
Bill was born April 22, 1928 in Morton, MS and was raised in Enterprise, MS. He was a loving husband, beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Bill was a man of faith, committed to God and his family, and honored both. He was a member of Bayou View Baptist Church for 55 years where he served as a deacon for many years.
Bill entered the Army Air Corps at Camp Shelby, MS in May 1946. After serving in the Philippines, he served at Andrews Field in Washington, DC during its transition from the Army Air Corps to the United States Air Force. When the Strategic Air Command was moved from Andrews AFB to Offutt AFB in Omaha, NB, Bill was also transferred and had the privilege of serving under General Curtis LeMay during the formative years of the USAF Strategic Air Command.
He also served at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA, Ladd AFB in Fairbanks, AK, Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS and retired while at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, IL in May 1967. While on active duty, SMSgt Shepherd supervised Classification Specialists, maintained a secret security clearance, and was an Air Force Sharpshooter. After his retirement, Bill had a second career with New York Life Insurance for another 25 years.
Bill recently returned to Alaska, visited his previous base in Fairbanks, and reminisced about his time there in the late 1950's, including panning for the gold nuggets that were used for three necklaces that went to each of his daughters-in-laws. Woodworking was his favorite past time and he enjoyed giving gifts that he had created.
His mother Bessie Mae Rogers, his wife of 47 years, Mary Elizabeth ""Libby"" Shepherd, his daughter, Suzanne Marie Shepherd, his granddaughter, Sara Elizabeth Shepherd, and other precious grandchildren known by God preceded him in death.
Bill is survived by his three sons and their wives, William A. Shepherd, Jr. (Renee) of St. Simons Island, GA, Charles David Shepherd (Donna) of Pensacola, FL, and Richard Alan Shepherd (Pam) of Kenner, LA; six grandchildren, Rebecca Anne Kenny (Joey), Alison Marie Shepherd, Johnny Martin (Heather), Michael Alan Shepherd, Jessica Jane Shepherd, and Gabriel Blain Shepherd; and three great grand children, Adam, Anna, and Noah. Bill also leaves a dear and special friend, Jane Terry of Meridian, MS.
Visitation will be at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, Thursday, March 6, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, with services at the Bayou View Baptist Church, 4709 Chamberlain Ave, Gulfport, MS, on Friday, March 7 at 10:00 AM. Officiating will be Dr. Bryant Barnes and Dr. Chris King. Burial will be at 2:30 pm Friday at Enterprise Cemetery in Enterprise, MS.
In lieu flowers contributions can be made to Bayou View Baptist Church, 4709 Chamberlain Ave, Gulfport, MS.
Online tributes can be made at www.riemannfamily.com