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William W. Shipley

Posted

Bill Shipley 89, passed away peacefully in his home on March 16th, 2023.

Bill was born to Edward and Nora Shipley in Longmont Colorado in 1933. He had 2 brothers and 1 sister.

His younger brother Kirk resides in Canyon City Colorado while his sister lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Bill worked in a coal mine as a young child to help support his family and send his oldest brother Bob to college. He joined the army and while serving in Arizona he and friends went bowling where he met the love of his life Marieda. A few chuckles over gutter balls developed into a wonderful 60-year marriage. Marieda preceded him in death on April 18th, 2020.

Marieda worked at a lumber yard to help put Bill through college. He started his very successful career at Caterpillar Tractor company in Peoria Il where he made many lifelong friends.

Bill and Marieda raised 2 daughters: Linda Dean from Peoria Il and Jana Charles from Sun City. They have two grandsons, Paul Dean and Patrick Dean, both in Illinois.

Bill and Marieda moved to Sun City in 1992. Bill enjoyed golfing and was an avid bridge player. He loved his church, bowling, hiking and loved taking trips across the country. He enjoyed working in the lapidary and silver shops as well as helping my mother by creating quilt designs and custom fabrics on his computer.

Bill took loving care of his wife Marieda with Alzheimer’s for 9 years only to be diagnosed himself once she passed.

Bill was a very kind and humble man who often referred to himself as just a coal miners’ son. He really enjoyed all the activities and opportunities that life had provided him. But the wonderful and lasting friendships that he discovered were always on his mind and in his heart. His faith, family and friends were what he cherished above all else.