Ian Shepherd

Ian Allan Shepherd, a resident of Biloxi, Mississippi, passed away on Friday June 19, 2026.

Ian was born in Wallsend, in the county of Northumberland, England on July 16, 1965, the son of John Shepherd and Olive Shepherd and was one of four siblings. During his early years in England Ian served his time at Swan Hunters Shipyards as a Marine Draughtsman and graduated with high honors.

Known for his witty sense of humor, Ian was frequently the life of the party and was loved by everyone. Ian had a passion for the game of soccer and spent many of his weekend mornings cheering for his beloved Newcastle soccer team. Ian spent most of his life carving out a career nationwide as a piping designer in the shipbuilding industry. Locally, he worked at Bolliger Shipyard, Ingalls Shipyard and VT Halter.

Ian is survived by his wife Ingrid, stepchildren Dylan and Jovaughn, sister Pauline (Russell) Coulter; brother, David Shepherd (Nikki); nieces, Claire (Terry) Lamb; and Emily Shepherd; nephew, Christopher (Linsey) Coulter and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Olive Shepherd; and younger brother, Graham Shepherd.

A celebration of Ian Shepherd’s life will be held on Thursday, July 2, at 11:00 am at Infinity Funeral Home, located at 184 Main Street, Biloxi. Friends and family are invited to share memories and honor him for his kindness and friendliness.

Eulogy

Ian was born in Wallsend, where the story of his life began on Maurice Road with his loving parents, John and Olive, and his three siblings, Pauline, David, and Graham. It was there, surrounded by family, that Ian’s deep sense of loyalty, warmth, and connection first took root.

Ian attended Western First School, Western Middle School, and Burnside High School. From an early age, he had a love for soccer, playing first for his school team and later for Wallsend Boys Club alongside his brothers, David and Graham. He did well in school and, with quiet determination, followed in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and uncle by training as a draftsman at Swan Hunters. Ian went on to spend many years working in the shipyards along the River Tyne. When the shipyards closed, he showed courage and resilience by moving to the United States in the 1990s to build a new future, living first in San Diego, California, then Virginia, and later Mississippi.

Some of Ian’s happiest memories were made with his family during summer holidays. He and his siblings often played on George Road, and he loved spending time in Newcastle with his brothers, socializing and shopping for films and music. Ian had a gift for bringing people together, whether it was gathering everyone for movie nights with the latest releases or sharing the excitement of a Newcastle United match at St. James’ Park. Music also brought him immense joy. He attended many rock concerts over the years, collecting souvenirs and memories along the way, with Led Zeppelin holding a special place among his favorite bands.

In 1983, Ian became an uncle for the first time when his sister Pauline and brother-in-law Russell welcomed their daughter, Claire. It was a role he treasured. A few years later, in 1986, his first nephew, Christopher, was born, and Ian was honored to become his godfather. In 1995, he welcomed his second niece, Emily, daughter of his brother David and David’s wife. Family always meant a great deal to Ian, and these relationships remained an important part of his life.

Even after moving to the United States, Ian kept England and his family close to his heart. In his early years abroad, he often returned home, especially at Christmas, to share the season with those he loved. In 2006, he was overjoyed when his mother, Olive, and younger brother, Graham, visited him in America for the first time. With pride and excitement, he took them to historic landmarks along the East Coast and shared the life he had worked so hard to build in Virginia.

Ian met his second wife, Ingrid, in Mississippi in June 2018, and their connection quickly grew into love. Together, they bought a beautiful home and were married in December 2020. Through Ingrid, Ian became a stepfather to Jovaughn and Dylan, and he embraced that role with a full and generous heart. Although he had no children of his own, he loved his stepsons deeply and protected them fiercely. Dylan, whom Ian affectionately called his “little eyeball,” held an especially tender place in his heart. Ian loved spoiling him with birthday and Christmas gifts, and when Ian was around, Dylan could get away with almost anything.

Ian was a devoted husband, a dependable provider, and a man who showed love in practical, generous ways. One of those ways was through cooking. His home was rarely without a prepared meal, because Ian often cooked several dishes at once, making sure his family was cared for and well fed. They looked forward to his meals, which were made not only with skill but with love. He often said that if he could go back in time, he would become a chef and open a restaurant. Ian also loved to travel and took joy in sharing photos and stories from the countries, cities, and national parks he visited. With his quick wit and warm sense of humor, he could light up a room and make people feel welcome. One especially memorable trip was when he took Ingrid and Dylan to Cancún, Mexico, in December 2022, during the World Cup final. Ian quickly connected with tourists from the United Kingdom and other countries, turning the trip into a joyful and unforgettable memory.

Ian was, above all, a family man. He made sure the people he loved knew they were valued, and cherished. He often visited the local Hallmark store to choose birthday cards, Christmas cards, and cards for special occasions to send to family in the United Kingdom. These thoughtful gestures were one of the many ways he stayed close to those he loved, even across the distance. During the holidays, Ian and Ingrid often visited his sister-in-law Jackie’s home, bringing meals and sharing in the celebration. Birthdays and Christmas were filled with gifts, laughter, kindness, and the comfort of being together.

Ian’s love for soccer remained with him throughout his life, and many weekend mornings found him cheering proudly for his beloved Newcastle United. He also built a long and respected career as a piping designer in the shipbuilding industry, working across several states and bringing skill and dedication to every place he worked. Locally, he contributed his talents at Bollinger Shipyard, Huntington Ingalls Shipyard, and VT Halter.

Ian was deeply loved by all who knew him, and his absence will be felt in countless ways. He leaves behind memories of laughter, loyalty, generosity, and love—memories that will continue to bring comfort to those who were blessed to share in his life. Ian is survived by his beloved wife, Ingrid; his stepchildren, Dylan and Jovaughn; his sister, Pauline (Russell) Coulter; his brother, David Shepherd (Nikki Waugh); his nieces, Claire (Terry) Lamb, and Emily Shepherd; his nephew, Christopher (Linsey) Coulter; his mother-in law Pamella; his sister-in law Jackie; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Olive Shepherd, and his younger brother, Graham Shepherd. May his soul rest in peace.

Infinity Funeral Home extends our condolences to the family of Ian Shepherd. For inquiries, call 228-436-6722.