After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Howard Earl "Shep" Shepard, 85, of Framingham, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, September 25. Born in Framingham, he was preceded in death by parents Leroy & Edith (Wood) Shepard, brother Miner Shepard, beloved wife Marion "Mae" (Palumbo) Shepard who died in 1988, and son James Howard Shepard who died in 2009. Howie is survived by his second wife Karin (Johnson) Shepard; son Joseph and daughter-in-law Judy of Framingham; sister Sylvia Dill of Medway; grandchildren Kym Havens and her husband Mark, of Stoughton, Jim Shepard and his wife Nina, of Millis, Jillian May Shepard Seaton and her husband Jeff, of Missoula, MT, and Jena Shepard and her partner Bobby, of Milford; great-grandchildren Jack & Sam Havens, and Tyler Shepard; several nieces and nephews; and many beloved life-long friends. Eager to serve his country, Howie enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17 in 1943. He honorably served as coxswain on the U.S.S. WASP through 1947. He enjoyed attending annual reunions with his WASP comrades around the country and was a proud recipient of an honorary high school diploma from Framingham High School in 2000. A member of Carpenters Local 475, Howie enjoyed a lengthy retirement at his home on Washakum Lake, and could often be found practicing his golf swing in the back yard. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and Woodville Rod & Gun Club. An avid outdoorsman, he loved goose hunting and ice fishing with his son and close friends. Howie will be loved & missed by his family and friends for his candor, loyalty, and masterful storytelling. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MetroWest Cancer Care Center, 99 Lincoln Street, Framingham, MA 01702.