Hosa Lee Shepherd, age 93, of Russellville died Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Russellville.  He was born March 7, 1933, in Sheridan, to Isaac Edward Shepherd and Nola Rippy Shepherd.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Shepherd; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Jo and Elmer Parks and Edwina and Warren Tullous.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Shawn Rae and Jason Epperson; a granddaughter, Mackenzie Rae Epperson; a grandson, Isaac Paul Epperson, all of Russellville; and many other relatives and friends.

H.L. graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1951 and Arkansas Tech in 1955. He served 2 years in the United States Army and 18 months were stationed in Germany. When he returned to Arkansas, he began teaching band in Prescott for 2 years followed by Morrilton for one year. In the fall of 1960 Shepherd became the Russellville High School Band Director and would remain the director and music supervisor for 28 years, retiring in 1988. He touched the lives of thousands of students. His bands performed nationally including the Cotton Bowl Parade in 1980 and the Presidential inaugural parade in 1977. He was a past president of the Arkansas Music Educators Association, Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, and the American School Band Directors Association. He was awarded the Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year in 1978, Arkansas Bandmasters Hall of Fame, and the Arkansas Tech University Hall of Distinction. In 2019 he became the first recipient of the Phi Beta Mu Jon Barbaratto Lifetime Service Award.

Mr. Shepherd felt it was very important to be involved in the community. He served on the Russellville School Board, the City Council, the Salvation Army Board, and was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club. He was an active member of First Baptist Church Berean Sunday School Class and Adult Ministries.

H.L. was married to the love of his life, Barbara Shepherd, for 55 years. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. After Barbara's heart transplant, he served on the American Heart Board and served 5 times as president of the State Transplant Association.

The memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 30, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Russellville, with the Rev. Greg Sykes and the Rev. Keith Shipley officiating.  Burial will be private at Lost Creek Cemetery in Sheridan under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.

Following the service, you are invited to join the family for a time of fellowship and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the ATU Music Department with checks made payable to the ATU Foundation, P.O. Box 1105, Russellville, Arkansas 72811.

The family encourages friends to share memories of H.L. to his daughter, Shawn at shawnrae01@gmail.com.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.shinnfuneral.com.