Wilbert R. Curly Shepard, 77, died Thursday, April 25, 2013, at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Triumph Missionary Baptist Church in Blounts Creek, N.C., by Elder Serinus Willis officiating services. Interment will follow in the Smith Cemetery. A wake will be held at Whitfield & Whitley Funeral Home in Washington, N.C., on Monday, April 29, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Other times, the family will receive friends at the home, 1210 Core Point Road, Blounts Creek.

Wilbert was retired from Stanadyne Corp. and a committed head deacon of Triumph Missionary Baptist Church for many years. Prior to his brief illness, he enjoyed gardening, carpentry, collecting John Deere items and spending time with his loving family and friends. He was born in Onslow County. He was a longtime resident of Beaufort County.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Hannah Elizabeth Shepard; one brother, James Arthur Sheppard; and one special niece, Barbara Ann Sheppard.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sadie (Smith) Shepard; two sons, Allen Fitzgerald Sheppard and Dale Curtis Sheppard and his spouse, Kristen (Hodges) Sheppard; two daughters, Shelby (Shepard) Mills and her spouse, Raymond Milton Mills, and Elvira Shepard Ray; one sister, Mary (Shepard) Stanback; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and a special niece, Yolanda Sheppard; two special nephews, William Earl Sheppard and James Earl Sheppard.

Arrangements are by Whitfield & Whitley Funeral Home.