Thomas Wilson Shipley

Thomas Wilson Shipley, 84 years old, of McAlester, Oklahoma former resident of Van Buren, Arkansas and Fort Smith, died late Saturday, February 11, 1967. He was born January 29, 1883 at Chester, Arkansas, and was the son of W. L. and Judy Ellen Reed Shipley. Years ago he worked for Shibley and Heard, Allen and Vyles and Hunt and Ayers, prominent dry good stores in Van Buren, and later joined his brothers in the bakery business.

He and his wife were charter members of City Heights Methodist church and he served as superintendent of the church for several years. He also sang in the choir and they were active in all the church work.

He was a prominent businessman of McAlester where he had operated the Shipley Baking Company since 1924, retiring seven years ago. He was active in the Rotary Club, serving as secretary for several years. He was a member of Grand Avenue Methodist church served on the Board of Stewards and taught Sunday School in the youth department. He was a member of South McAlester Consistory.

He was a brother of W. G. (Garvin) Shipley of the Shipley Baking company of Fayetteville who died last December 22, and of the late Harry Shipley, who operated the Shipley Baking Company in Fort Smith until his death two years ago.

Survivors are his wife, Beulah; two brothers, both of Fort Smith; two sisters, Mrs. Stone of Friona, Texas and Mrs. Brockman of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Funeral service was held Monday, February 13, 1967 at 10:30 a. m at the Grand Avenue Methodist church with R. L. Willingham officiating. Graveside service was held at 3 p.m. at Forest Park cemetery in Fort Smith with Mills-Humphrey Funeral home in charge of arrangements.

Information was contributed to Find A Grave by Tonia Holleman, who has been on a project of documenting and photographing headstones in Historical and abandoned cemeteries in Arkansas and Oklahoma. If you have any additional information or corrections you can contact Tonia at toniah904@aol.com.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 27 2017, 1:42:12 UTC