Willard Shepherd

SHEPHERD
Willard I. Shepherd

Willard Iden Shepherd passed from this world to be with the Lord on November 8, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas. Born in Toledo, Ohio, August 4, 1916 to Jesse Lee and Edith Vanderlip Shepherd, he grew up in Emporia, Kansas where he received his primary education and graduated from Emporia State Teachers College. He was a charter member of the Beta Upsilon Chapter of Simphonia Fraternity of America. He was father to 4 and stepfather to 3 children and grampy to 17 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. Willie, as many of his friends called him, lived a full life during his 94 years. He directed and performed in several big band style dance bands during college. He served honorably in the musical arm of the Army Air Corps on the west coast directing bands greeting returning troops during World War II and later in the Air Force directing summer band concerts on the Capitol steps and orchestral concerts on the Potomac River in Washington D.C. A music educator, Willard taught at most all levels of the educational system during his career - from grade school through college. At the collegiate level he taught at the University of Houston (started the marching band program there), the University of Texas at El Paso, the College of Emporia and Emporia State Teacher's Colleges in Emporia, Kansas, and Trinity University in San Antonio from which he retired after a 19-year career in 1982. His musical involvement continued after retirement, as he remained active with choral and instrumental music in churches and the community. A favorite pastime was singing in and later directing for a number of years, the Joy Singers, an older adult choir at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church. His influence on the many many students and musicians he taught over the years was significant. Most notably, Tommy Newsom, once a member of one of the military bands Willard conducted, and later a 30 year member of NBC's Tonight Show Band, once told Willard's oldest son that the reason he was a professional musician was because of Willard's influence and encouragement during those early years in the military. He was preceded in death by his first wife Charlotte Taylor Shepherd and two sons, Marshall Robert and James Lee Shepherd. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years Helen, daughter Carol Shepherd Quinsey, son Charles David Shepherd, Dr. Jo Ann Ybarra Shepherd of San Antonio, widow of Marshall, Pamela Yantis Shepherd Davis of San Antonio, widow of James, stepson Chuck Curry, stepdaughters Peggy Foshee and Cheryl Meyer, and 45 grandchildren. A private service was held Friday, November 12, 2010. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Willard's name to the Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E. Basse Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209 for the "Joy Singers." And the beat goes on.