Billy Ray Shepard

Billy Ray Shepard, 78, of Maryville, TN, went to be with the Lord on June 11, 2024. He was born in Rector, Arkansas on March 17, 1946. Bill served as a paratrooper in the United States Army in the Vietnam War. He retired from truck driving in 2010, where he traveled the country for over 40 years during that time. Bill was a beloved husband and papaw. Preceded in death by: parents, Dan Shepard and Cora Atkins; seven brothers and sisters. Survivors include: wife of 30+ years, Phyllis Shepard of Maryville, TN; sons, Craig Shepard (Mayren) of St. Louis, Missouri and Braden Shepard of Cherry Valley, Arkansas; daughters, Amber Basgall of Maryville, TN, Renee Ellender (Robert) of Birmingham, AL, and Sandra Pigg of Arkansas; 8 grandchildren, Wyatt Shepard, Javier Shepard, Tyler Ward, Gavin Ward, Grayson Bate, Blake Ellender, Dillon Gassaway, and Noah Walden; 6 great-grandchildren, Clark, Ashton, Brantley, Kyndall, Oliver and Shepherd; many nieces and nephews. He will be buried at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville, TN. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.