Walter Ray Shepherd

Seminole resident, Walter Ray Shepherd, 85, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at his home.

Walter, the son of James and Sylvia (Hoover) Shepherd, was born December 22, 1939, in Seminole. He attended Varnum Schools. On July 24, 1958, he married Nina Gail Herring, in Seminole. Walter made his living working as an automotive assembly technician for General Motors. Walter was a member of the Seminole Congregational Methodist Church, and of the United Auto Workers Union. He spent his life in Seminole County, with a “brief” 30-year interlude in Texas. In his spare time, he enjoyed farming and raising cattle, and he was a shade tree mechanic, Walter could fix anything. He was a devoted husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He was longtime leader in his church and was tireless in his service to others. On more than one occasion, Walter did struggle with containing open flame, resulting in a few call outs from the local fire department and earning him the nicknames, “Firebug” and “Sparky”. Walter spoke often in the past weeks of seeing his mom and dad again. His family is confident he is reunited with them and his Savior.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his 5 brothers.

Walter is survived by his wife, Nina, of the home; son and daughter-in-law, David and Paula Shepherd, of Keller, TX.; daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Steve Hines, of Seminole; five grandchildren, Justin Maxwell, Dakota and Danielle Lindley, Jared Hines and Nick Hines; four great grandchildren, Brylan Maxwell, Tracker Maxwell, Rowan Lindley and Anna Lindley; along with many other family members and friends.

Services will be Friday, August 1, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, with Matt Riffle officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Seminole. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.