Walter Gene Shepard, 85, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2017 in Loving. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 8, at 2 p.m. in Morrison Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Loving Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home. Walter Gene was born Dec. 22, 1931 in Young County, to the late Joe William and Nellie Lee (Sanders) Shepard. He married Erma Ruth Sams on Dec. 14, 1951 in Loving and she preceded him in death on Oct. 24, 2014. Walter Gene was a farmer and rancher for Shepard Farms and a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he was a sniper in the Korean conflict. He was a member of Loving Baptist Church, Young County Farm Bureau, Loving Fire Department and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served on the FHA Committee and FSA County Committee for many years. Walter Gene loved farming and ranching and he also owned and operated an oil lease for over 20 years. Survivors include his son, Mark Shepard and wife, Kay, of Loving; granddaughter, Kelly Smith and husband, Jason, of Loving; grandsons, Frankie and Brandon Bailey, both of Loving; great-grandchildren, Reagan and Scout Smith of Loving; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bobbie Joe Shepard, in 2014. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Loving Cemetery Association or Loving Volunteer Fire Department.