Ector Daniel “Dan” Shepard, Jr., 65, of Pawleys Island, husband of Penny Burnett Shepard, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet. Dan’s legacy is one of honor, service, dedication, and devoted love for his family and friends.
Dan was born March 3, 1959, in Kingstree, the son of the late Ector Daniel Shepard and Bevis Boyd Shepard. He was a graduate of Winyah High School and a graduate of The Citadel Class of 1981, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He was a member of the prestigious Summerall Guards. He also received a master’s degree in operations management from the University of Arkansas.
Dan served his country with honor during his 9 years of active-duty service in the US Air Force, earning the rank of Captain and Instructor Navigator for the KC-135 aircraft, specializing in global air refueling operations. He served at Blytheville Air Force Base in Arkansas and Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California. Following his Air Force service, Dan’s professional life was marked by his successful accomplishments in the management of automotive and metals manufacturing industries, working with Schlumberger, Holset, Bosch, Mahle, and Arcosa before retiring.
In addition to his wife Penny, Dan is survived by his daughter, Matelon S. (Dave) DeFreese and his beloved granddaughter, Hayley DeFreese, of Summerville, and a sister, Carol (C.J.) Morgan of Scurry, Texas.
Graveside funeral service with military honors, conducted by Rev. Marty Hodge, will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 4501 US Hwy 377, Salters, SC 29590. Dan’s family will greet friends and family following the service in the Martin Building at the church. Memorials may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, c/o Diane Boyd, 114 E. Brooks Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com