(Godsil) Shepard, Gary Bernard 3/11/1941 – 1/15/2021 Phoenix, AZ Devoted husband, father, grandfather, and avid Hot Rod enthusiast, Gary Bernard (Godsil) Shepard (aged 79) passed away on 01/15/21 from complications of Covid-19, resulting in multiple organ failure. He is preceded in death by his parents Bernard L. Godsil and Helen M. Godsil of Galesburg, IL; Brother, Greg T Godsil; Spouse, Virginia (Ginny) B Shepard; Step-Son’s, Brian K. Shepard and Kevin S Shepard.
He is survived by his youngest son, Gary B. Shepard II; Sister Pam Dykema and her husband, Bob Dykema; 1st Spouse, Dixie Godsil with 4 other son’s, Robert Godsil, Michael Godsil, Tom Godsil, and William Godsil; Grandchildren, Broghan B. Shepard, Andrew and Eliana Shepard; Daughter-In-Law, Diane M Shepard.
Born in Galesburg, IL Gary was of the Catholic Faith. He attended catholic school and graduated from Corpus Christi / Lyceum High School . Gary loved to go fast, take risks, and more importantly have fun! He spent most of his younger years, building, refurbishing, and even pin-striping classic cars. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, sometimes riding snowmobiles, as well as collecting and selling antiques.
He served in the United States Airforce from 1961 – 1965, with an Honorable Discharge and ending rank of A1C. He was stationed at Grissom Air Reserve Base (Bunker-Hill) in Kokomo, IN. His assignment while serving in the Air Force specialized in Aircraft Maintenance, part of the 305th Bomber Wing. He serviced the B58 Hustler and KC-135 aircraft.
After leaving the military, he took on the role as Manager of a First Federal Savings & Loan Branch located in Vicksburg, MI where he remained until relocating to Litchfield Park, AZ. During his initial time in Arizona, he utilized his mastery carpenter skills to hang doors “the right way” and several other home construction projects for new builds in Sun City. Gary soon after became employed with Goodyear Aerospace, which later became Loral Defense Systems and eventually was purchased by Lockheed Martin. He served in a financial role managing several Defense Contracts under the Skunk Works program and associated with Engineering Planning for the SR-71 Blackbird. He retired shortly after the passing of his sincerely beloved wife, Ginny in 1999.
Gary did not have any directives in regards to donating to charities or other organization’s recognized in his honor. His wishes were to be cremated and his remains reunited with his late spouse at Holy Cross Cemetery in Avondale, AZ. Any thoughts, memories, prayer’s, or condolences are at the request to be submitted to Best Funeral Services in Peoria, AZ or directly to his youngest surviving son at: shep2itive@gmail.com. Best Funeral Services 9380 West Peoria Avenue Peoria, AZ 85345 https://www.bestfuneralservices.com/
Lucy V. Moreno, age 91 entered into the arms of God on 09-27-2020 peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was born in Camp 50 Litchfield Park, AZ on 03-02-1929 to parents Manuel & Emeteria Villa. She was second oldest to 9 children. On Feburary 4th, 1951 she married Henry S. Moreno. They had 3 children.
