Mr. William Edward "Bill" Sheppard Jr.

William E. "Bill" Sheppard Jr. died at his home November 5, 2023, at age 73. Born in Camden,
New Jersey, he grew up in Maple Shade.
Throughout his life he was filled with happiness, kindness, and a great sense of humor. He had
an aura about him that people were drawn to in friendship and love. He saw the goodness in
people, and was always positive and joyful. He loved to laugh, so much so that he would bring
himself to tears telling jokes. He was hilarious. And to many people he was an inspiration as he
persevered with optimism throughout his long illness. He was as humble as he was talented: a
master musician, artist, chef, masseur, and sweetheart of a human being.
Bill received a BFA in graphic design at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). As a gifted
and prolific creative person he played at least 5 instruments. Early in life he played trombone in
a funk band. In another band, 50 Foot Woman, he played guitar, bass, and vocals. Known as
Dr. Rock in a nearly lifelong rhythm and blues band, The St. James Street Boys, he played lead
guitar and vocals. He also studied jazz guitar and later in life played in the jazz trio, Stream.
As talented in visual arts as he was in music, Bill moved to New York City to establish and lead
a digital design studio for the world's largest global ad agency, J. Walter Thompson. He worked
across a portfolio of some of the world's most famous blue-chip brands. He was quickly
promoted to Vice President. His contributions ranged from traditional and brand design -
where he was one of the last commercial artists to still do his own hand lettered typography -
to his true passion of motion graphics where he was an early pioneer. His unique gifts and
genius enabled him to be one of the last to do flawless hand lettering and one of the first to do
CGI motion graphics.
After 30 years in New York City he moved back to Maryland to live on the Chesapeake Bay and
teach at MICA. It was an extremely happy time in his life; an exceptional teacher whose
students loved him and the place where he met and married his love, Esther. After his
devastating injury he worked tirelessly for years to regain his abilities. In the midst of it all he
exclaimed he had to do something creative so he took up ceramics, exhibiting his sculptures at
MICA. He also took up sailing at the Downtown Sailing Center Accessibility Sailing program,
winning two Ya Gotta Regattas and new friends.
He was the beloved husband of Esther J. Sheppard. He was predeceased by his father, William
Edward Sheppard Sr, who died when Bill was 5, his mother Clara Holtz and his stepfather
Richard Holtz. He is survived by his brother Robert A. Sheppard and his wife, Betty Sheppard,
his sister Bonnie B. Sheppard, his brother Bryan D. Holtz and his wife, Amy Holtz, his sister
Barbara A. Lotierzo and her husband, Michael Lotierzo; his brother-in-law Aaron D. Schooler
and and his sister-in-law Marianne Schooler. Also survived by loving nieces and nephews, and
his band brothers.
Instead of flowers Bill would want you to express your love to those you hold dear or that any
memorial tributes be made in the form of a charitable donation to his cherished accessible
sailing program at the Downtown Sailing Center https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/downtownsailing (They ask that his name in
memory be placed in the comment.) or the Maryland Food Bank https://mdfoodbank.org/
donate/. Details for the Celebration of Life will be announced through Bill's Facebook page and
at the MITCHELL-WIEDEFELD FUNERAL HOME INC. www.mwfuneralhome.com at a later date.