William Ross, Sheppell a beloved husband, father, uncle and friend passed away Friday at the age of 86. Bill was born in Kearny, New Jersey in 1926 to mother Ethel and father Sam, who was the head of the city's waterworks. He had three older brothers who survived into adulthood, Sam, Charles and Art. Two other brothers died in childhood. As a boy, Bill was an accomplished soprano and earned a small income travelling to various local churches to share his talents. That career ended with the onset of adolescence but made way for a new passion; the Sheppell boys were well known in the area as formidable soccer players. Bill served in the US Navy in the South Pacific theatre as a Gunnar's Mate 3rd Class on the USS Marblehead. After the war, he attended Seton Hall University and was able to resume his soccer career. He was named the university's 1948 All-American and graduated in 1950. Bill represented his country in the 1950 FIFA World Cup and at the 1952 Olympics as a member of the US soccer team. In 1975 he was inducted into the Seton Hall Athletic Hall of Fame. Though soccer was the sport he chose to focus on, Bill was a talented all-round athlete, even trying out for the Yankees baseball team. Later he would share his talents and infectious love of sport with the community by coaching his sons' soccer and baseball teams. In the early 1950's he began working as a sales representative with Noritake China Company. His travel to various department stores opened the next chapter of his life. He met Catherine Stomos at the La Salle and Coch department store in Toledo, Ohio where Catherine was working as a merchandise buyer. Just before they met, one of Catherine's co-workers said "I'm going to introduce you to the man you're going to marry." In 1963 Bill and Catherine bought a farm in Pleasant Plain, Ohio where they planned to raise Thoroughbreds. They moved there and married in 1963. Bill's passion for horses had been stoked by a job cleaning stalls as a young boy and he had always dreamed of owning and raising his own. Neighboring farmers in Pleasant Plain affectionately dubbed city-raised Bill 'Green Acres' after the 60's TV show portraying the hi-jinks and foibles of an elegant couple that moves to the country. Bill and Catherine welcomed their first son William Jr. in 1966, followed by son Peter in 1968 and daughter Elizabeth in 1974. He led daughter Elizabeth down the aisle in 2005 when she married Michael 'Zac' Zachry. Meanwhile Bill continued to ascend at Noritake China Company. He became vice-president of the company's china division and was instrumental in opening a company plant in Ireland. Later he was promoted to president of the company's abrasives wheel division. Even while busy with the farm, Bill's business career and family, Bill and Catherine found time to travel and ventured through Europe, Japan and Mexico. Through Noritake Bill made not just a good living but also one of his best friends, Mitzio Yamaguchi. After Mitzio passed away Bill remained close to his wife, children and grandchildren. Bill retired in 1993 and was then able to focus full-time on breeding his beloved racehorses. He became one of Ohio's first successful breeders. Bill was never happier than in the company of his family but also enjoyed friends of all ages. He made new friends easily because of how generous he was with his smiles and because of his laser-like ability to hone in on exactly what a person needed to be teased about. When Bill teased you, it was personal! Though his joking was relentless it was always tempered with his big-hearted gentleness. Bill had the rare gift of being able to show people they were welcome and loved in his every word and gesture. By example, Bill showed us how to live a life of passion, courage and great kindness. He is irreplaceable in our lives but will live on in our hearts forever. Visitation on Tuesday, August 28 between 6 and 8pm at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N. Riverside Dr, Loveland, OH. Service at 11am, Wednesday August 29. Internment, Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the National Parkinson's Foundation or to a charity of choice. Funeral Home: Tufts Schildmeyer Family Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Loveland 129 Riverside Drive Loveland, OH US 45140