William C Shepard

December 14, 1962 – August 5, 2023

William C. Shepard (also known as “Craig” to family and “Bill” to others) passed away at Montefiore Medical Center on Saturday morning, August 5, 2023, at the age of 60 years old.

He was born at Bronx Municipal Center in The Bronx, New York to the late Shirley M. Shepard and William B. Shepard on December 14, 1962. He was the youngest of four brothers, the late Michael, Robert and James Patterson.

While growing up in the Bronx, he went to Clinton High School then transferred over to The Bronx High School of Science where he graduated in 1980. He went to Queen’s College between 1980-1984 where he met Bill Grant, a lifelong best friend. He would then continue his education at Hunter College.

Craig/Bill met Diane A. Gentles at Abundant Life Tabernacle Church in the Bronx. They eventually began to date, fell in love, and got married on October 21, 1989. William brought life into the world, and had JoNathan Shepard on February 12, 1981, William D Shepard on October 9, 1993, and Joshua Shepard on June 6, 1997. As a family, they shared (and will continue to hold close to their hearts) bittersweet memories of their comical adventures on family vacations, holiday dinners, where Bill/Craig would make his traditional peach cobbler, lasagna or peach glaze duck, raising their dog, Shalom (who he called “The Evangelist of the Family”) and the tradition of Family Night, where they played games and watched movies together. His family and close friends will never forget his love and passion for the New York Knicks.

With a passion for helping people and a knack for making connections, William Shepard continued his service in various capacities, including being ordained an Elder at St. John Deliverance Tabernacle in Nyack, NY. He would later serve as a faithful volunteer of the Celebrate Recovery Group, and a loyal member of The Reign Riders Christian Motorcycle Club.

Whether it’s following basketball – specifically “The NY Knicks”, playing golf, motorcycle riding, eating at a diner, getting gas, and/or grocery shopping, there was always a story, and new friendships being forged.

He leaves to mourn his wife, Diane, his three sons, Jo-Nathan, David and Joshua, a daughter-in-law, Tyneisha, three grandsons, Justin, Jayden, Josiah, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and church family, near and far, who all saw him as a brother and/or father. Though we mourn William Craig Shepard now, we will always remember his “Larger Than Life” personality and celebrate his return with the Lord. His race has finished, and he now finds rest and peace in eternal life.

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