William Irving Shepley

William I. Shepley died in Newport Hospital on July 5, 2010, a few days before his 86th Birthday.Bill was born in Newport, the son of William I. Shepley and Helen Hambly Shepley. He was brought up in Newport and Middletown and graduated from Rogers High School, class of 1941.After graduation, he joined the US Navy and was stationed on Saipan and the Pacific Theater of Operations.In 1950, Bill graduated from URI in a program called physics engineering.His first job was in the research department of Schlumberger in Ridgefield, CT.In his next job, he became a pioneer in the development of ultrasonics. His name is on early patents with Sperry Products, Danbury CT and Curtiss-Wright in Woodbridge and Princeton, NJ.In 1962, he was co-founder and vice president of Tac Technical Instrument Corporation of Trenton, NJ. Bill developed the system for testing metal tubing and other metal products with ultrasonics.Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Dingwall Shepley of Jamestown; his son, William Bruce Shepley of West Linn, Oregon; his daughters, Susan Shepley of Ansonia, CT and Jean Paterson of Brick, NJ. His three grandchildren, Nancy Paterson, David Shepley, and Colin Shepley. His three step-grandchildren, Airman 2nd Class Jonathan Paterson, Ryan Paterson and Kathy Paterson. He is also survived by his brother, James M. Shepley of Mattapoisett, MA; his sister, Anne Hatch of Woodlands, TX; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.He was the brother of the late Ruth D. Shepley and step-son of the late Gladys P. Shepley.Bill enjoyed playing golf and was an avid woodworker and fisherman.He had visited Jamestown since childhood.Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Jamestown EMS, 11 Knowles Street, Jamestown, RI 02835.