Bill Gordon Shipp

A memorial service for Billy Gordon Shipp, 67, will be held at 11am on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at Calvary Baptist Church with Don McWhorter, Donna Butler, John Paul and Jean Bautista officiating. Visitation will be held at Brownfield Funeral Home from 5-7pm on Tuesday, January 28, 2014.

Billy peacefully went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, January 26, 2014 following a lengthy illness. Bill was born July 30, 1946 in Midland, Texas to Alton (Bill) and Daisy Shipp. He trusted in the Lord Jesus in 1956. Bill grew up and attended school in Midland, graduating from Midland High School in 1964. He went on to attend Odessa Junior College, followed by West Texas State University earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1969 as a prelude to his lifelong passion of directing bands. From water balloon fights by the lake in Andrews, the first sweepstakes in the history of school in Alpine, Twice the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Sweepstakes award winner for 3A in Colorado City, to 15 award winning years in Brownfield, Bill was dedicated to his students and his calling as a band director for 35 years. Students knew they could count on Bill Whether it was flute quartet practice at midnight in his living room, or lending sympathetic ear when a student had a girlfriend or boyfriend troubles. Bill was a proud member of Phi Beta Mu, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alph Sinfonia, and the Masonic Lodge. He received a Master of Education from Sul Ross State University.

Bill is survived by his Wife Jamie Wilson Shipp, daughter and Son-in-law Mary Heather and Aubrey Beaver, Daughter and son-in-law Tara and Clay Cooper, grandson Caleb Gordon Beaver, mother Daisy Shipp, and brothers and sister-in-laws Dennis and Paula Shipp, Tracy Shipp, and Gary and Kathy Shipp plus nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts are requested to go to the Bill and Jamie Shipp Scholarship c/o Brownfield High School Band Booster Club, Lori Fresen President, 1215 E. Harris, Brownfield, TX 79316