William S. Shepard, 90

William Seth Shepard, a career U.S. Foreign Service officer, novelist, and former Republican nominee for governor of Maryland, died on Aug. 21, 2025. He was 90.

Born on June 7, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Franklin, Shepard graduated from the Tilton School in 1953; Wesleyan University, cum laude, in 1957; and Harvard Law School in 1961. A Fulbright scholar, he taught in France before law school. After Harvard, he served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, where he taught international law.

Shepard entered the U.S. Foreign Service in 1964. His assignments took him to Singapore, Saigon, Budapest and Athens, among others. In Saigon, he served as aide to Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge. In 1973, he returned to Saigon to help coordinate the international agreement for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. In Budapest, he negotiated the first U.S.-Hungarian Consular Convention in over 30 years. He went on to serve as consul general in Bordeaux, France. He was a lifelong scholar of languages and was fluent in French, Hungarian, Greek, German and Latin.

In Washington, D.C., Shepard was appointed director of congressional affairs at the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, where he coordinated Senate testimony leading to ratification of the landmark INF Treaty. He also served as a congressional fellow, and was appointed national security adviser to Sen. Robert Dole, writing arms control proposals and advising on foreign policy.

In 1990, at the request of the Republican Party, Shepard became Republican candidate for governor of Maryland. Breaking precedent, Shepard and his wife Lois ran as a team, for governor and lieutenant governor. A moderate by temperament and style, Shepard surprised many with his strong showing across party lines when he carried a majority of counties and jurisdictions and left a strong mark on local politics, though not victorious.

His next career, as an author, was prolific and varied. He published 14 books, including a diplomatic mystery series, several volumes of autobiographical tales, the highly regarded "Maryland In The Civil War," and his bestselling "Shepard's Guide to Mastering French Wine." He became an in-demand public speaker and lecturer, teaching a series of courses over several years at Maryland's Chesapeake College including a series of very popular French wine classes as well as many classes and lectures on diplomacy and international relations.

For over a decade, Shepard served as wine editor for French Wine Explorers, as well as writing about wine for other publications. His knowledge of wine, particularly Bordeaux, resulted in his membership in the wine societies Montesquieu Academy, Les Chevaliers de Bretvin, Ordre des Compagnons de Bordeaux, Connetablie de Guyenne, La Jurade de St. Emilion, and Bontemps Medoc et des Graves.

Shepard was recognized as a distinguished alumnus of Tilton School at his 50th reunion in 2003, when he was the recipient of the George L. Plimpton Award, honoring a lifetime of service and leadership. He was named an Honorary Hungarian Freedom Fighter by the Hungarian Society of America, the only non-Hungarian to be so named. He has appeared in Who's Who since the early 1980s.

He was a member of Society of Mayflower Descendants, Governor Bradford Compact Society, Society Descendant Colonial Governors, Society Descendant Colonial Wars, Montesquieu Academy France, City Tavern Club, Flagon and Trencher, Tred Avon Players and several wine societies.

Remembered as a man of integrity, intellect and humor, Shepard was also a devoted family man. Married in June 1960, he and his wife Lois this year celebrated 65 years of marriage. Theirs was a lifelong partnership of travel, politics, adventures, and rooting for the Red Sox.

Together they raised three children, Stephanie Shepard Lipson, Cynthia Robin Shepard, and Warren Burke Shepard (1966-80). He was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Robinson Shepard. In addition to Lois, Stephanie (Erik), and Cynthia Robin, Shepard leaves his much loved grandchildren, Victoria Ashley Dickson (Christian), Christina Morgan Lipson, Emma Grace Lipson and Erik Lipson Jr., and great-grandson Zander Christian Dickson; his brother James Shepard (Sally); nieces Sandra Wolfram, Elisabeth Shepard and Valerie Shepard Cortalano (Bruce) and children; nephews Christopher Shepard and children, Lorenzo Shepard (Holley) and children, James William Shepard (Idella) and children, and Todd Nisoff; as well as extended, loved family in many parts of the country.

Amid life's challenges, he carried himself with grace and style. He said, "We often lived abroad, but were always at home."

A funeral service will be held at noon on Thursday, Aug. 28, in the Tilton School Chapel, 30 School St., Tilton. Burial with military honors will follow the service in Franklin Cemetery.

The Smart Memorial Home in Tilton is assisting the family with arrangements. Visit smartmemorialhome.com for more information.