Willis ShepardJuly 20, 1920 - September 14, 2017Bakersfield, CaliforniaWillis I. Shepard was born on July 20, 1920 in Huron, South Dakota. He was raised on a farm with one brother and two sisters where he learned the meaning of hard work from an early age. On January 8, 1940, he left South Dakota and drove to Carmel, California where he worked for one year as an apprentice electrician. He then moved to San Diego, California for one year where he helped build B-24 bombers. On November 20, 1942, Willis enlisted in the Navy. After boot camp, Willis was sent to Norfolk, Virginia where he would serve on the Battleship Texas for a duration of three years. During his naval career, Willis participated in the Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, as well as the Invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Willis was discharged from the Navy on December 16, 1945. During his time in the service, Willis visited his sisters in Washington, D.C. and was introduced to their roommate, Ernestine Wilhelm. They later married on March 10, 1946 in Ernestine's hometown of Wheatland, Wyoming. Willis and Ernestine immediately moved and established roots in Carmel, California. Willis served as an apprentice electrician under the GI apprenticeship program and he then worked as an electrician for 40 years. Willis and Ernestine lived in Carmel for 57 years and during that time, Willis built three homes while maintaining a full-time job and family. Willis retired in 1983 after a successful career as an electrician. He and Ernestine visited locations abroad as well as various cities in North America in their motorhome. During his time in Carmel, Willis served as a charter member of The Community Church of the Monterey Peninsula, The Monterey Elks Lodge 1285, The American Legion, was a member of the IBEW for over 50 years, and served on The Carmel Sanitary Board for 14 years. In 2004, Willis and Ernestine sold their home in Carmel and moved to Bakersfield, California. During his time in Bakersfield, Willis became involved in The Honor Flight of Kern County. On March 10, 2012, Willis and Ernestine celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. A short time later on September 23, 2012, Ernestine Shepard passed away. In 2013, Willis had the privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C. with his son, Stan to visit the various War Memorials. Through Honor Flight Kern County, Willis met many local fellow Veterans. Willis is survived by his daughter, Geraldine Frakes of Bakersfield, California; son, Stanley Shepard (Ana) of Jamul, California; grandson, Wesley Frakes (Mary) of Visila, California; granddaughter, Danelle Alteparmakian (Tony) of Bakersfield, California; grandson, Justin Shepard (Heather Courtright) of San Diego, California; grandson, Brandon Shepard (Karla) of La Mesa, California; great-grandson, Carson Frakes; great-granddaughters, Cidnee Frakes, Cassidy Alteparmakian and Isabella Alteparmakian; former son-in-law, Roy Frakes, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved Chihuahua, Polly. Willis is preceded in death by his wife, Ernestine Shepard; mother, Estella Shepard; brother, Herbert Shepard; sisters, Hazel Walsh and Maxine Smith.A Celebration Of Life Service will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church (4500 Buena Vista Road Bakersfield, California 93311). On Monday, September 25, 2017 Military Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Bakersfield National Cemetery (30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd Arvin, California 93203) Donations can be made In Memory of Willis Shepard to The Community Church of The Monterey Peninsula at P.O. Box 222811, Carmel, California 93922 or The Monterey Elks Lodge BPOE1285 at 150 Mar Vista Drive, Monterey, California 93940 View the online memorial for Willis Shepard