Wilmon N Sheppard's Obituary
Sgt. Wilmon N. Sheppard, 86, retired GPD officer, died Wednesday, December 16, 2020, in the North Florida Regional Medical Center, following a long illness.
Mr. Sheppard was born in Trenton, Florida on October 19, 1934, to the late George and Mary Pearl Sheppard. He joined the Gainesville Police Department in 1961, hired on by then Chief William D. Joiner. As an officer, he spent many years in charge of Airport security, traffic technicians, animal wardens, and all of the school crossing guards. He had special training in the airport and aviation security from the U. S Government training facility in Oklahoma City. Sgt. Sheppard’s proudest achievements were in the training of rookie officers and by graduating with a college degree while working and raising nine children.
After his retirement from GPD in 1986 he enjoyed traveling; visiting Finland, New Zealand, and Canada, and spending his summers in North Carolina. He was preceded in death by one son, Steven Sheppard.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nancy Linna Sheppard; children, Cindy (Duane) Hatfield, Shirley (Keith) McKinney, Kathy (Bill) Hurst, Darrell Sheppard, Stuart (Robyn) Sheppard, Thaddeus (Paula) Sheppard, Melissa (Timothy) Loparco and Ryan Sheppard. Nineteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren also survive.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at 11:00 A. M., in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, Archer, Florida, with Rev. James Taylor, officiating.
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