Dr. William Shepard, distinguished educator

Dr. William Shepard, PhD, 84, of Bethany Beach died Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Somerville, Mass., Oct., 2, 1929, son of the late George E. and Anne V. (Sheehan) Shepard.

Dr. Shepard was a 1954 graduate of Catholic University of America. He taught math and science at various high schools before obtaining a master’s degree and PhD in education administration at New York University. He belonged to the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier for 35 years. Dr. Shepard held positions as assistant principal and principal at St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, N.J., for 13 years. He also worked as a director of financial affairs and associate professor of mathematics at St. Thomas Aquinas University for 19 years.

In his retirement, Dr. Shepard was a volunteer for CASA as well as serving as treasurer on the Board of Directors of The Salt Pond Homeowners Association and an active member of The Salt Pond Golf Club.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, May Shepard; two stepsons: Robert W. Bullard of Newton, N.J., and Donald E. Bullard Jr. and his wife Catherine of Stafford, Va.; four grandchildren: Amanda, Rebecca, Deanna and Leah; two nieces: Jennifer Shepard and Jocelyn Gentile and her husband Tom; and two nephews: Jamie Shepard and his wife Caramia and John Shepard and his wife Ann Marie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 10, with Father Ralph Castelow officiating at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, where friends may call beginning at noon. Friends may also call from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Clarksville Chapel, 34874 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View. Interment will immediately follow Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Dagsboro.