In Memoriam: William Shepherd, 100
Chairman and CEO of Chemical Bank, NJ, 1989-1991
William (Bill) Joseph Shepherd, 100, former Chairman and CEO of Chemical Bank NJ, died at home on October 15, 2026.
Born in Richmond Hills, NY, to English immigrants, he grew up in Dunellen, NJ, and lived in Westfield, NJ, for more than 72 years.
A graduate of Dunellen High School in 1944, Shephrd attended Rutgers University, where he served as president of the marching band. After graduation in 1948, he studied at the Universidad Nacional de Mexico to become fluent in Spanish. He returned to the United States to work at Dun & Bradstreet before serving in Germany as a sergeant first class in the U.S. Army’s 44th Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged in 1952.
In 1954 he married his wife, Anne Morrell Shepherd, and moved to Westfield. They raised three sons together and celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in October 2025.
Shepherd built an extensive career in finance and commercial banking. After earning an MBA from New York University, he worked for Chemical Bank New York and the National State Bank. He served as CEO of Horizon Bancorp (formerly Princeton Bank and Trust) from 1965 to 1989, oversaw its merger with Chemical Bank, and chaired Chemical Bank, N.J. from 1989 to 1991. He also served as a director of Orion Capital Corp and the Eastern States Bankcard Association; he retired from banking in 1994.
During his career, Shepherd was active at Plainfield Country Club, Echo Lake Country Club, and Baltusrol Golf Club, where he held the distinction of being their oldest member. He also held leadership positions at the Nassau Club in Princeton, NJ, the Seabrook Island Club in Charleston, SC, and the University Club in New York City.
His commitment to public service spanned his career and retirement. He served as president of the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, board chairman at Overlook Hospital, trustee of the Rutgers University Foundation and as a board member of the New Jersey Healthcare Financing Authority and the Evergreens Episcopal Diocesan Home. He also held a leadership role on the Westfield Board of Education. He was inducted into the Westfield Historical Society Hall of Fame and served as the Society’s Trustee Emeritus, helping lead fundraising for the historic Reeve House renovation.
Committed to his English heritage, Shepherd served as President of the St. George’s Society of New York. He joined Fairview Cemetery’s Board of Trustees in 2000 and served as President from 2011 to 2018, helping lead transformative improvements. A longtime congregant of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, he served on its vestry and Memorial Endowment Trust and supported its renowned Friends of Music program. He will be remembered for playing his coronet and leading the Grant School Talent Show pit band for many years, raising funds for the Parent Teachers Organization.
William was predeceased by his wife. Survivors include his three sons and seven grandchildren.
A private burial will be followed by a memorial service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Friends of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield.