Windel Lee Sheppard, Sr., affectionately known as “Put” and “Putsy,” 76, of Orange, Texas, passed away on December 24, 2019, in Beaumont, Texas.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 28, 2019, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Father Michael Strother of St. Helen Catholic Church in Orangefield, Texas.

Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Born in Orange, Texas, on January 4, 1943, he was the son of George William Sheppard and Clemence (Breaux) Sheppard. Put worked as a diesel mechanic for Mustang Tractor for 53 years. He enjoyed boats, fishing, and shrimping. Put was a kind man who never met a stranger. He did volunteer work for Vietnam refugees on their boats and would donate the shrimp he caught to people in need. Put’s family jokes that he could never pass up a sale at Bass Pro Shop. He loved traveling the world for Caterpillar Inc., but he called Orangefield his home. Put enjoyed learning as much as he could about the history of the small town. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Put will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Clemence Sheppard; and his sister, Fern Finley.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Maydel Sheppard; his children, Danny Fontenot, Rena Kay Louvier and husband Gary; Windel Lee Sheppard, Jr. and wife Shanna, and Susan Fay Sheppard and husband Sonny; his grandchildren, Devan Fontenot, Katelyn Fontenot, Rachel Melancon and husband Shay, Ricky Herring and wife Samantha, Savannah Sheppard, McKenzie Sheppard, Alexander Sheppard, and Christopher Sheppard; his great-granddaughter, Brianna Herring; his siblings, Myrtle Cloteaux, A. G. Sheppard, and Jean Jakobeit and husband James; numerous loving nieces, nephews, and other family members; as well as his companion and dog, Lexi.

The family asks that people honor Put’s memory by practicing random acts of kindness on his behalf.