Billy J. “Bill” Shepard

Billy J. “Bill” Shepard

Billy J. “Bill” Shepard, age 82, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., died early Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at his home. He was born on Jan. 22, 1941, in Parsons, Kan., the son of William Harvey Shepard and Daisy Bell Blackburn Shepard. Bill was raised in Parsons and graduated from Altamont High School. He worked for Precision Products in Parsons for 25 years. After moving to Fort Scott, he worked for Extrusions Products until he had to leave due to health. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working with wood, and bingo. Bill married Kay Knight and to this union were born two daughters, Rhonda Joellen Rundle and husband Lenis, Carterville, Mo., and Kristen Kaye Reel and husband Darin, Altamont, Kan. They later divorced. He married Virginia (Ginny) Elbrader on May 10, 1990, in Fort Scott.

In addition to his wife Virginia, Bill is survived by his daughters; five grandchildren, Audry Enochs, Ashley Rundle, Shelby Farmer, Kyle Reel, and Meagan Genton; five great-grandchildren, Conor, Tahlia, Brook, Rylan, and Jaxson. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Charles, Lloyd, and Wayne Shepard, five sisters, Virginia (Jupe) Walters, Ruby Walters, Bonnie Dack, Donna McElroy, and infant Erma Shepard.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Mt. Orum Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to either Care to Share or Paws and Claws and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.