Billy Shepherd

(Billy Shepherd was listed among our class in our junior year yearbook, but he was not at East Rowan during our senior year. Those of us who went to Granite Quarry Elementary school grew up with Billy from 1st grade on.)

Billy Frank "Bill" Shepherd of Salisbury passed away Friday, October 30, 2015, born on May 14, 1943 in Salisbury a son of the late George Frank Shepherd and Maye Cress Shepherd.

Bill was educated at Granite Quarry High School and RCCC, retired from Celanese, was a special deputy with the Rowan County Sheriffs Department, PNG Security and Putnam's Carpet Shop for 33 years.

Bill, a member of the First Baptist Church of Rockwell where he was Saved, Baptized and active in many of the church activities. Bill was an antique car collector and enjoyed surf fishing at the beach with his best friend Jerry Putnam.

Survivors include his wife, Rachel Gillespie Shepherd who he married on June 30, 1996; son, Albert Frank "Frankie" Shepherd of Rockwell; step daughters, Sheri Styron (Wade) of Pine Level, and LaTina Ridenhour of Salisbury; brothers, Larry Paul Shepherd (Doris) of Salisbury and A. W. Shepherd (Debbie) of Salisbury; sister, Linda Wilkins (Jim) of Benson, and four grandchildren.

Services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Tuesday at the First Baptist Church of Rockwell conducted by Rev. Matthew Laughter, pastor and Rev. Dr. Benny Vickery.

Entombment will follow at Brookhill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends after the Entombment.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209

Danny Basinger

(Danny Basinger was on the first ERHS football team in 1960 but was two years behind our class in school.)

Danny Ray Basinger, 70, of Walton, formerly of Salisbury, N.C., passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.

Danny was a graduate of East Rowan High School in Salisbury, N.C., and later graduated second in his class from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Miami, Fla. Danny was retired from Delta Airlines after 37 years where he worked in Air Craft Maintenance. After retirement he enjoyed working at Florence Hardware, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He started with Delta Airlines in 1965 in Kansas City, Mo., where he later transferred to Charleston, S.C., Charlotte, N.C., and finally to Cincinnati/Northern KY International Airport in 1982.

Survivors include his high school sweetheart and wife of 49 years, Catherine Pamela Basinger (nee: Shaw), and their children, Ashley Catherine (Mark) Minton of Union, Ky., and Joshua Benton (Carol) Basinger of Walton, Ky.; grandchildren Anna, Amelia, Samuel, Isabella and Jackson. He also leaves behind his brother, David Alan (Alison) Basinger; sister-in-law Vicki Parks; and brother-in-law, Bill (Bonnie) Shaw, all of Salisbury, N.C.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David Samuel and Ruby Mae Basinger (nee: Agner).

Arrangements: Visitation will be held Monday, Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Powles Staton Funeral Home in Rockwell, N.C., with Funeral Services to follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Rowan Memorial Park, Salisbury, N.C.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society, St. Elizabeth Hospice, Humane Society, or Boone County 4-H Program.

Salisbury Post, 1 Nov 2015