A memorial celebration for Billy “Bill” Dorris Shipman will be held this Thursday, March 31st, at Palmetto Mortuary, Greenville, SC, 3pm-5pm with a service at 4pm.
Bill Shipman was born February 1st, 1934 in Wirt, Oklahoma to Henry Calvin Shipman and Georgia Melissa (Lewis) Shipman. He went to be with the Lord on Saturday March 26th, 2022.
Bill was a graduate of Plainville High School (PHS), in 1953. He received a Bachelor in 1957 and a Masters in 1958 from Fort Hays Kansas State College. He loved playing football! Bill became Plainville’s second ever All-State player in 1952. He was a four-year letterman playing guard and tackle for the Plainville Cardinals. Heading to college, Bill signed with Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) where he played one year. He then transferred to Fort Hays State where he was named All Conference as offensive guard in 1954 and 1955.
Bill met Marjory S. Morlan at Fort Hays State and the two were married on June 1st of 1957 in Protection Kansas, her home town. He served in the Army from 1958-1960 and again in 1961-1962 when the Berlin Wall went up. Both Bill and Marjory were teachers and Bill was awarded Kansas Teacher of the Year in 1965. They moved to Geneseo, NY in 1965, with their two children. Bill joined the art faculty at State University of New York in Geneseo, teaching Sculpture and Watercolor.
Bill went on to work for the State of NY at Craig Developmental Center and then for ARC for several years where he was awarded “Advocate of the Year” recognizing his work for people with disabilities.
Together with several families, Bill and Marjory helped start a Christian Fellowship that functioned for many years, reaching numerous people in Upstate NY. He went on to focus his life and work in the Ministry, serving as God directed.
Bill and Marjory moved to Goldstone NC in 1986 to prepare for missionary work in Haiti. They lived in Haiti from 1988 to 1994 where they shared the Gospel and taught life and business skills to many. They returned to NC near their dear friends Jerry and Carol Wilson for a short time before returning to Geneseo in 1994, and then moved to Greenville SC in 2017. The impact of their missions’ work is still thriving to this day.
Bill is survived by his wife Marjory living in Greenville SC; his daughter Melissa S. Smith and husband David Smith of Hamlin NY; grandchildren Jared Smith and Kendra Eppard and husband Ian Eppard; great-grandchildren Oliver, Lenora, Ainsley, and Florence Eppard. Also survived by his son Kel E. Shipman and wife Kathryn A. Mathias; granddaughter Amanda Lowenstein and husband Adam Lowenstein; great-grandchildren Grace, Jack and Stella Lowenstein. Also survived by dear family Lorraine (Little) McPartlin and husband Jim McPartlin. Also survived by Bill’s sister Ellen “Tiny” Smith of Yukon OK and brother Glen Shipman and wife Judy Shipman of Clarksville TN.
Preceded in death are Bill’s parents, his brothers WH, Ruel, Bob, Bonnie Foster “Pat” and his Sister Blanche Duke.
In Honor of Billy D. Shipman, donations may be made to Hearts & Hands for Haiti, 6612 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 or online at heartsandhandsforhaiti.org.
The Memorial Celebration will be at Palmetto Mortuary, 1017 Mauldin Rd, Greenville SC, (864-241-5093) on Thursday March 31st, from 3pm-5pm with a service at 4pm. A reception will follow, the location will be announced at the Celebration.