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Mr. Billy Benjamin Sheppard, Sr., age 81, a resident of Magnolia Street, Belhaven, died Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Vidant Beaufort Hospital in Washington.

The family received friends from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM Sunday, February 28, 2021 at First Christian Church in Belhaven.  A private graveside service followed at Davis Cemetery, Highway 45, Pantego.

Mr. Sheppard was born up Pike Road in Beaufort County on June 18, 1939.  He was the son of the late Roy Sheppard and Sophia Berry Sheppard.  Mr. Sheppard worked at J.D. Dawson & Sons from 1959 to 1970. From 1970 to 1984, he worked for Southern Life Insurance. In 1984, Mr. Sheppard bought the J.E. Edwards Insurance Agency in Belhaven. He and his wife co-owned the agency until his passing.

As a youth, Mr. Sheppard loved sports. He played on the Pungo River Baseball team in the Beaufort County league.  He coached softball in the Belhaven Recreation League in the late 1970’s.  Later, Mr. Sheppard enjoyed watching college basketball and baseball on TV.  In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting especially with his son.

Mr. Sheppard was a member of the First Christian Church in Belhaven where he served as a deacon. He was a past member of the Town of Belhaven Cemetery Commission and Carolina Pines Hunting Club.

On September 26,1959, Mr. Sheppard married the former Lorna Midyette Swain, who survives.

Surviving with his wife are his daughter, Pamela Carawan and husband, Mark of Scranton; his son, Billy “Ben” Sheppard, Jr., and wife, Erica of Washington; two granddaughters, Tori Silva and husband, Alex of Chocowinity, Mary Grace Whitley of Chocowinity; grandson, Wes Whitley of Chocowinity; brother, Dalton Sheppard and wife, Barbara of Ossenburg, N.Y.; sister, Audrey Butcher and husband, Vincent of Virginia Beach, Va.; sister in law, Joan Sheppard of Virginia Beach, Va., and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Sheppard was preceded in death by three brothers, James Sheppard, Harold Ray Sheppard and Roy Sheppard, Jr.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund, 419 East Main Street, Belhaven, N.C.  27810.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Sheppard family.