Burton Shepard was born in Lovilia, Iowa, on April 18, 1922 to Ida Mae (Jennings) and Vincent Urban Shepard. He was the youngest of eight children who are now all deceased. He graduated from Albia High School (Iowa) in 1940 and joined the Navy. He served in World War II on the USS Idaho from 1940-1944 and on the Coral Sea from 1947-1949. He served until August 1960. During high school he fell head-over-heels for Alice Burns from Eddyville, Iowa, and they were married Feb. 15, 1943 in Hollywood, Calif. Over the course of the next seven years they had four daughters. After traveling the world, they finally settled in Oak Harbor in 1959.

Burton was a member of Family Bible Church in Oak Harbor and the Masonic Lodge in Wahiawa, Hawaii. His favorite pastime was telling stories with good humor and an amazing twinkle in his eye. He loved golf, playing checkers, Acey Deucey, and pinochle and most always won.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Carol Sue, and a son-in-law, Butch Luther; and survived by his wife and three daughters: Barbara Luther (Mercer Island), Donna Martens and Bill (Clarksville, Tenn.), and Linda Sharp and Willie (Coupeville); seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. He passed through the doors to his eternal home on March 16, 2011.

Burton requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Burial will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date. Memorials in his memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor.