WILLIAM H. "BILLY" SHEPARD

                  Billy Shepard is recognized as one of the outstanding and innovative leaders who helped develop the North Carolina poultry _ food industry. He was born in November of 1918 in Wilmington, North Carolina, and has spent most of his life in Goldsboro. He graduated from Goldsboro High School in 1937 and married Louise Woodard from Kenly in 1939; The Shepards have four children -- Woody, Mary, Billy, and Jim. Billy served two years in the Navy during World War II.

 Mr. Shepard’s business career has been focused entirely in the feed and turkey industries. He began his career as a feed salesman and later became the manager of Statesville Flour Mills Goldsboro office. He joined Goldsboro Milling Company in July of 1947 as a salesman and retired in 1989 as General Manager. During his tenure with Goldsboro Milling, the firm made the transition from a flour mill to a feed company and eventually became one of the largest integrated turkey producers in North Carolina and the United States. Billy was an active member of the management team that developed the present day Goldsboro organization, recognized nationally as one of the leading turkey production firms in America.

Billy played a very important role in developing the North Carolina poultry industry, and especially the state’s turkey industry. He was an active member of the Carolina Feed Industry Association and was one of the founders of the North Carolina Poultry Federation. He served as president of the North Carolina Feed Manufacturers Association, the North Carolina Poultry Federation, the North Carolina Turkey Federation, and the National Turkey Federation. He has been a member of the Awards Committee of the North Carolina Poultry Federation on a continuous basis.

Known for his leadership, integrity, faithfulness and active participation, Billy Shepard has truly been an outstanding leader in industry development and in state and national poultry related associations. He has been a strong supporter of active industry organizations, research programs to improve the industry, and new marketing methods for poultry products.

The North Carolina Poultry Federation is pleased to recognize William H. "Billy" Shepard for his many contributions to the industry and, and on August 2, 1991, to induct him into the prestigious North Carolina Poultry Hall of Fame.