William Seth Shepard

Tilton NH/Easton MD - William Seth Shepard, a career U.S. Foreign Service Officer, novelist, and former Republican nominee for Governor of Maryland, died on August 21, 2025. He was 90.
Born on June 7, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Franklin, New Hampshire, Shepard graduated from the Tilton School in 1953, Wesleyan University where he was president of Sigma Chi and graduated cum laude, in 1957, and Harvard Law School in 1961. A Fullbright Scholar, he taught in France before law school. After Harvard he served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, where he taught international law.
Shepard entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1964. His assignments took him to Singapore and Saigon, where he served as aide to Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge. In Budapest, where he negotiated the first U.S.-Hungarian Consular Convention in over 30 years. From Budapest he was called back to Saigon with the International Control Commission. He then was posted to Bordeaux, France as U.S. Council General.
As a Congressional Fellow and national security advisor to Senator Robert Dole, he advised on foreign policy and wrote arms control proposals. Shepard was appointed Director of Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, where he facilitated the ratification of the landmark INF Treaty.
In 1990, at the request of the Republican Party, Shepard became Republican candidate for Governor of Maryland. Breaking precedent, Shepard and his wife Lois ran as a team, for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. A moderate by temperament and style, Shepard surprised many with his strong showing across party lines when he carried a majority of counties/jurisdictions and left a strong mark on state politics.
In his next career, as an author, he published 14 books, including a diplomatic mystery series, autobiographical tales, the highly and his highly regarded Shepard's Guide to Mastering French Wine. He was an in-demand public speaker worldwide and lecturer.
He also served as Wine Editor for French Wine Explorers. His knowledge of wine, particularly Bordeaux, resulted in a first class wine cellar and membership in several international wine societies.
Shepard was recognized as a distinguished alumnus of Tilton School at his 50th reunion. He was the recipient of the George L. Plimpton Award, honoring a lifetime of service and leadership. He was named an Honorary Hungarian Freedom Fighter by the Hungarian Society of America, the only non-Hungarian to be so named. He has appeared in Who's Who since the early 1980s.
He was a member of Society of Mayflower Descendants, Governor Bradford Compact Society, Society Decendant Colonial Governors, Society Descendant Colonial Wars, Montesquieu Academy France, City Tavern Club, Flagon and Trencher, Tred Avon Player and several international Wine Societies
Remembered as a man of integrity, intellect, and humor, Shepard was also a devoted family man. Married in June, 1960, he and his wife Lois this year celebrated 65 years of marriage. Theirs was a lifelong partnership of travel, politics, adventures, and rooting for the Red Sox.
Together they raised three children, Stephanie Shepard Lipson, Cynthia Robin Shepard, and Warren Burke Shepard (1966-1980). He was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Robinson Shepard and sister-in-law, Myrna Burke Nisoff. In addition to Lois, Stephanie (Erik), and Cynthia Robin, Shepard leaves his much loved grandchildren, Victoria Ashley Dickson (Christian), Christina Morgan Lipson, Emma Grace Lipson and Erik Lipson Jr., and great-grandson Zander Christian Dickson, his brother Dr. James Shepard (Sally), nieces Sandra Wolfram, Elisabeth Shepard, and Valerie Shepard Cortalano (Bruce) and children, nephews Christopher Shepard and children, Lorenzo Shepard (Holley) and children, James William Shepard (Idella) and children, and Todd Nisoff, as well as extended, loved family in many parts of the country.
Amid life's challenges, he carried himself with grace and style. He said, "We often lived abroad, but were always at home."
The family would like to thank the entire team at Talbot Hospice for their extraordinary personal and professional care and treating us like family over the last several months.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 12 noon in the Tilton School Chapel, 30 School St., Tilton, NH. Burial with military honors will follow the service in Franklin Cemetery. Please visit www.smartmemorialhome.com for more information.