Richard Leroy Sheppard

Richard Leroy Sheppard, 75, of Hardeeville, SC passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Caroline’s Cottage Hospice House in Ridgeland, SC.

Richard was born January 1, 1951 in Glen Burnie, MD to the late Earl Leroy Sheppard and Myrtle Viola Arnold. Richard grew up in Glen Burnie, graduating from Glen Burnie High School where he was a varsity athlete in both basketball and football.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969. Richard is a proud Vietnam War Veteran. He was stationed at Phu Lam serving as an Army Specialist 5. Richard left the army in 1972 and joined the Maryland State Police. He distinguished himself by serving on the state’s SWAT Team and then the Noise Enforcement Division. While with the police force Richard earned his Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University and enjoyed playing on both the softball and basketball teams.

Richard left the police force in 1983 for a new adventure in Dallas Texas. It was in Texas where he met Alice, his wife of 38 years. They married in Allentown, PA in 1987. They eventually moved to Hardeeville, South Carolina where they founded, owned, and operated 2 successful businesses, Low Country Disposal and ADR Siding.

When he wasn’t working, Richard loved fishing, playing golf, riding motorcycles and traveling. He and Alice enjoyed trips to Disney World with their grandkids, a tour of Europe, a fishing trip to Alaska and many motorcycle rally’s. His biggest motorcycle adventure was a bucket list trip to Sturgis in 2019.

In addition to his wife, Richard is survived by his son, Michael Sheppard and his wife Kelly Sheppard of Spring Arbor MI; daughter Sandy Dileo and her husband, Paul DiLeo of Boonsboro, MD; daughter Stephanie Almy and her husband Dave Almy of Dewitt, MI; grandchildren, Samantha Dileo, Sophia Dileo, Noah Sheppard, Ian Sheppard, Nicholas Sheppard, Marcus Sheppard, Gabriel Sheppard, Calen Almy and Alexandra Almy; and sisters, Debbie Smith, Mary Madkins, Bonnie Sheppard, Patricia Townsend.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 pm, Friday, January 9, 2026 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd., Bluffton, SC. The family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 pm until the time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Caroline’s Cottage Hospice House in Ridgeland, SC