Wilber (Bill) Alan Sheppard, 84

Wilber (Bill) Alan Sheppard, 84, passed away Aug. 11, 2011. He was born May 15, 1927, in Montrose, S.D., to Charles Oscar and Bertha Mae (Gunn) Sheppard.

He worked the family farm before joining the Marines at age 17. He served in Okinawa during World War II and was later sent to serve in China.

Bill married Carol Jean Larson on April 10, 1949, in Sioux Falls, S.D., and then moved to Coeur d'Alene in 1954 with his wife and three children. He was in the insurance business for 20 years before moving to Kennewick, Wash., in 1970, where he started a successful new career in the restaurant business. After retiring in 1977, Bill and Carol returned to Coeur d'Alene.

For the last eighteen months, he had been in the care of Country Comfort Assisted Living. Throughout his life Bill loved to hunt, fish, golf, square dance and pilot his airplane.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Carol; son Dean and his wife Rose Sheppard, their children, Tamara and Christopher (Lorinda) Sheppard; and daughter Diana and her husband Mike Smith, their children, Harry Rothfork, Joshua (Michelle) and Ian Smith. His great-grandchildren are Daniel Gordon, Anissa and Makenna Sheppard, Ian, Ava, Hunter and Charlie Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his son, Bruce; his parents and his siblings, Cecil, Maurice, Lucille Persing, Charles Oscar, Aileen Wehrkamp and Howard.

As per Bill's wishes, his body has been donated to science. The family will have a private celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice or www.curepsp.org.