Mr. Shepherd received Bachelors and Masters degrees from Ohio University and has completed additional work at Wooster College and Ohio State University. He has served as band director for McConnelsville, Sandy Valley, Wellington and Wooster, Ohio High Schools, and as brass instructor at Wooster College, Bluffton College, Heidelburg College and Bowling Green State University. During his public school teaching career Mr. Shepherd produced outstanding concert bands with many superior (1) ratings in the Ohio Music Educators competitions. His high school bands were featured at college games and have livened up half-time programs for the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mr. Shepherd toured with the Tommy Dorsey/Warren Covington Orchestra in 1958-59. He has recorded for Decca Records and was selected to play in an All American Band Masters presentation at an appearance with Arthur Fiedler, Boston Pops Orchestra director.

Mr. Shepherd was Ohio State Chairman of the American Band Directors Association and served on the National Executive Board of that organization. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, International Trombone Association and other organizations.

In 1970 Mr. Shepherd was chosen as one of the top ten music educators in the United States and Canada by The School Musician music magazine. In 1971 Mr. Shepherd was one of the ten college band directors chosen to conduct The United States Air Force Band at a conducting symposium sponsored by the College Band Directors National Association at Ithaca, New York.

In 1973 Mr. Shepherd released, on Coronet Recordings, an album of trombone solos accompanied by the Lima, Ohio Symphony Orchestra.

In 1976 Mr. Shepherd was a featured soloist at the Music Educators National Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.

Mr. Shepherd was Director of Bands at Finlay College, Finlay, Ohio for seven years.

In 1976 Mr. Shepherd was appointed Associate Professor of Music and conductor of the Symphonic and Marching Bands at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

In 1991 Mr. Shepherd was appointed Chair of General Studies and teaches conducting classes.

In December 2001 Wadsworth Publishing published a conducting textbook titled: A Conducting Workbook authored by Mr. Shepherd.

In March 2003 the Bill Shepherd Big Band released a CD title Ballroom Memories. Information at web site: www.billshepherdmusic.com or e-mail william.shepherd@uni.edu or call 319-273-2118.

In October 2003 Mr. Shepherd was inducted into his high school alma mater's Hall of Fame. He was inducted into Carrollton High School's first Hall of Fame in recognition of outstanding contributions.

Mr. Shepherd continues to be active as a conductor, solo performer, adjudicator, teacher and trombone clinician.