Willie Shepard

SHEPARD, Mr. Willie James - Age 61, passed away Monday, December 25, 2006 at Crestmont Nursing Home. Family Hour 10AM Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at Harris Memorial COGIC, 4317 Lippincott Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11AM. Pastor Eric Bogan officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery G-4413 Flushing Rd., Flint, MI Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Tuesday. Mr. Shepard will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 8AM-2PM today and 8AM-2PM Monday. Mr. Willie James Shepard affectionally known as "Shep" was born the oldest of 5 children to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence and Hattie Shepard on September 18, 1945 in Adell, Georgia. In 1962 he graduated from Northern High School, where he loved playing basketball and the high jump. He retired from General Motors. Mr. Shepard gave his life to the Lord under the leadership of the late Rev. Leo Jackson of Pilgrim Temple COGIC, shortly after he joined his father, the late Eld. Clarence Shepard in the ministry, playing the organ at Macedonia COGIC. He later became a member of Harris Temple C.O.G.I.C. serving on the deacon board, under the late T.R. Harris, and later serving under the leadership of the late Bishop Walter Bogan. On June 25, 1966 he was united in holy matrimony to Ms. Marva Thomason and to this union two children were born. Mr. Shepard was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, who always had a smile on his face. He was also a talented artist, who loved cooking and spending time with his family. Mr. Willie Shepard leaves to cherish his memory: daughter, Windy Shepard; granddaughters, India and Carrington; 2 brothers, Homer Shepard and Andrew (Veatrice) Shepard; 2 sisters, Dorthy (Robert) Atkins and Paula (Gary) Durden; 3 brothers-in-law, Bishop James (Bertha) Thomason, Joel (Brenda) Thomason and John (Deloris) Thomason; 3 sisters-in-law, Mary (Gordon) Powell, Betty (Neal) Smith and Sandra Smith; special friend, Linda Shields. Mr. Shepard was preceded in death by his wife, Marva Shepard; parents, Eld. and Mrs. Clarence Shepard; daughter, Carla Shepard; brother, Clarence Shepard, Jr.; mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Joel and Delia Thomason. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Elisa Singson and the Davita Dyalsis unit at Genesys Health Park, Crestmont Health Center, Heartland Hospice, Pastor and Mrs. Eric Bogan and the Harris Memorial Church family.

Willie Shepard

September 18, 1945 - December 25, 2006