Byron Z. Shepard

Byron Z. Shepard, 94, died Sunday April 26, 2026 at The Meadows in Leicester MA.

He is survived by three sons; Mark of Viola WI, Gary (Sharon Silverman) of Lancaster MA, and Raymond (Daniella Nipper) of Anchorage AK; daughter-in-law Jennifer (Ellms) Shepard of Viroqua WI; grandsons Daniel (Katie Werre) of Durham NC and Benjamin of Lancaster MA; and great grandson Jonah of Durham NC.

His wife of 51 years, Agnes (Beauvais) Shepard died in 2013. He was predeceased by sister Frances Brennan of Lancaster MA, brothers Ralph Shepard of Worcester MA and Wendell Shepard of Lancaster MA, and grandson Erik Shepard of Viola WI and Boulder CO.

Born on August 10, 1931 in Springfield Maine, son of Ralph and Laura (Kellogg) Shepard, he grew up in Springfield and on the shores of Lake Sysladobsis (Dobsis Lake).

During World War II the family moved to Leominster MA where he was active in Boy Scouts, DeMolay, and played on his church’s basketball team. He graduated from Leominster High School in 1949.

In the Korean War Byron served in the Army Security Agency stationed in the Philippines.

Byron lived most of his life in Lancaster MA and worked for several local companies as a tool maker and model maker. Byron retired to Viola WI where he enjoyed gardening and wood carving. He was a member of Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Richland Center WI and enjoyed volunteering at Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School in Viroqua WI.

An avid lover of nature and the outdoors, Byron travelled to Alaska twenty five summers in a row. If he didn’t have a woodworking tool in his hands it was because he was reading a book. He was a voracious reader and always eager to engage in conversations about philosophy and life.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

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