Extracted from The Ruston Daily Leader (Ruston, LA)
Sunday, December 21, 2003

Frank William “Bill” Shipley

Frank William “Bill” Shipley, retired Mobile Oil Corporation electrical engineer, died on Thursday, December 18, 2003. He was 77 years old. Visitation is 10-11 a.m. Monday, at First Presbyterian Church, Yazoo City. Memorial service is 11:00 a.m. Monday at the church.

Mr. Shipley was born March 25, 1926, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to Miriam Beal and Jack Batchelder Shipley. The family later moved to Canton, Mississippi, where he lived for 15 years. He served in WWII, then graduated from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, where he met and married Ann Grambling. Bill and Ann had recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Bill was employed in Yazoo City for many years with Mississippi Chemical Company. He later accepted a position with Mobil Oil Corporation in their research and development division. During his years with Mobil Oil, he was stationed at numerous international locations. During this time overseas, he involved himself in local Christian outreach. He was diligent in his efforts to share his beliefs and lead others to Christ, wherever he was stationed.

Upon his retirement at age 60, and return to Yazoo City, he continued his hobbies of duck hunting, fishing, antique cars, tennis, and building projects. Mr. Shipley was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church, Yazoo City, where he taught adult Sunday School and catechism, and served many years as deacon, then elder.

Mr. Shipley is survived by his wife, Ann Grambling Shipley; and three daughters and their families, Kathryn Barrows of Roanoke, VA, Queen and Philip Swayze of Yazoo City, MS, and Amy and Mike Ward of Madison, MS. He had six grandchildren: Ann Winifred Barrows and William Barrows, Roanoke, VA, Annie Swayze and Mary B. Swayze, Yazoo City, MS, Virginia Ward and Brennan Ward, Madison, MS. He is also survived by his sister, Elizabeth Heberer, Greensboro, NC; and nine nieces and nephews. His brothers, Jack Shipley and Lee Shipley, Sr., preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to French Camp Academy (One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745) or First Presbyterian Church of Yazoo City, MS.