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David R. Shepherd, 79 year old Woodward resident, died Saturday, July 10, 2021 at his home in Woodward after a long illness. Funeral services will be held in the chapel at Billings Funeral Home in Woodward at 10 a.m., with Rev. Donnetta Hunter officiating. Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in Woodward, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Billings Funeral Home.
David Riley Shepherd was born on March 14, 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Orville Malone and Ida Wilma (Spencer) Shepherd. When David was four years old his family moved to Napa, California, where his dad was stationed in the Navy during WWII. The family then moved to southern California, Pacoima, where David attended high school. He enlisted in the Navy when he was 17 years old. He proudly served aboard the U.S.S. Bennington Anti-submarine Aircraft Carrier until he was honorably discharged in Bremerton, Washington - one day shy of his 21st birthday. While serving his country David traveled to Hawaii, Hong Kong, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Okinawa, Vietnam and many other places.
David moved to southern California and lived his life to the fullest. His strong work ethic led him to become manager of C&G Plastics. At the same time he attended college working toward a degree in engineering. David played as hard as he worked. As a young man two of his favorite hobbies were building fast cars he would race at San Fernando Drag Strip, and racing motorcycles through the Mojave dessert. David was an avid off-road four-wheeler. He drove what his family affectionately called The Great White Steed, which was a 1974 Toyota Land Cruiser. David actually picked it up at the docks in Long Beach, California, when it was brought to the United States via ship. Four-wheeling his way over northern California's, The Rubicon, was one of his favorite adventures.
In 1976 David was united in marriage to the love of his life, Karen Lee Sanford-Murley. David instantly became a dad to two adventurous children; eight-year-old Michelle L. Murley, and six-year-old, Bobby L. Murley. Who, as it turned out, loved four-wheeling as much as he did. In 1978 David and Karen moved to Woodward, Oklahoma, and soon after welcomed a second son into their family, James D. Shepherd.
David took ownership of his father's business at 320 Main Street in 1978. In 1985 he purchased the building on the corner of 6th Street and Main and moved his business to the new location. Woodward Radiator - Safe, Lock & Key Inc., remained at that location until Dave retired in 2015. Many of his customers became life-long friends. As a locksmith David traveled every highway, street, dirt road, and almost-a-road to take care of his customers.
David is survived by his wife, Karen Shepherd of the home; daughter, Michelle Baird of Woodward, sons, Bobby Murley and wife Lisa (Haskins) of Mooreland, and James Shepherd and wife Jessica (Smith) of Arnett. Sisters, Alice (Shepherd) McGeachy and husband Larry of Carlinsville, Illinois, Donna (Shepherd) Dreyer of Woodward, and Sherri (Shepherd) Thompson and husband Kenneth of Huntsville, Alabama. Brother-in-law John Sanford and wife Linda of Huntington Beach, California, and sister-in-law Linda (Sanford) Manseau of Taylorsville, Utah. Grandchildren; Emily (Baird) Gedra and husband Nick of Stillwater, Carlie Murley of Mooreland, Cassity (Murley) Compston and husband Russ of Woodward, Cameron Murley and wife Tiffany (Rooks) of Goodwell, and Oden Taig Shepherd of Arnett. Great-grandchildren; Rylan Compston and Adalyn Compston of Woodward, and Paisley Murley and Weston Murley of Goodwell. And a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends that he thought the world of.
David is preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Wilma Shepherd of Woodward, sister, Sandra (Shepherd) Bergeron, brother-in-law, Charles Dreyer, mother-in-law, Rose Dawson, sister-in-law, Annette Dawson, brother-in-law, Art Manseau, all from Woodward, and father-in-law Robert Dawson, of Garden Grove, California.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior project with the funeral home accepting contributions.
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