Willard Franklin Lipsey, of Hartselle, had a long and hard fought battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and most recently was hospitalized for 20 days. He “fought the good fight,” he “finished the race,” and he “kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Like the Apostle Paul, he knew death was near but he had no regrets.
Will Lipsey had lived to the fullest, fulfilled all that Jesus charged him and empowered him to do, and had a remarkable sense of fulfillment and contentment with his life even in the days he struggled for breath. Will loved his Lord and Savior, he loved Hartselle, and above all he loved his family with all his heart. Jesus called him home on July 22, 2018, at 78 years of age and Will is no longer sick and no longer suffering.
He is rejoicing with his Father at the foot of the throne and enjoying his reunion with his loved ones who have gone before. He was preceded in death by his parents, Judson Wallace Lipsey and Mary Magdalene McCutcheon Lipsey; his little brother, Patrick Lipsey; his brother-in-law, Charles Hardy; His father-in-law, Sam Franklin, and his mother-in-law, Mimi Franklin. He is survived by his wife, Margaret (Meg) Franklin Lipsey; his sisters, Ann Lipsey (John) Roper, Jean Lipsey Hardy; his sister-in-law, Lori Lipsey (Dale) Robinson; his nieces, Stephanie (Paul) DeLucenay, LeAnna (Ryan) Lipsey, Madison Lipsey (Zach) Weatherbee; his nephew, Jason (Allison) Hardy; his great nieces and nephews, Anna Grace DeLucenay, Alec Durand, Jacob Hardy, Sarah Hardy, Zachary Hardy, and Margaret Ann Weatherbee; and his brother-in-laws, Sam Franklin and Brooks Franklin.
Will graduated from Morgan County High School where he played football and basketball. He enlisted in the United States Armed Forces and then served in the National Guard and as a Reserve of the Army of the United States. He was honorably discharged on the 13th day of September 1962, and went on to pursue a career as a civil servant with the United States Army Audit Agency and the Department of the Army.
He worked for Wernher von Braun as a cooperative student and graduated from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a degree in Accounting. He used that degree to better himself through his work at the US Army Audit Agency. He was elevated to Audit Manager due to his numerous commendations.
He retired after 35 years of federal service and became a home builder. Will was a member of the American Legion and the Hartselle Rotary Club. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
He was recognized for “Exceptional Performance” throughout his career, but especially for his service in the Vietnam and the Frankfurt, Germany offices where he spent ten years. He was commended for his “Dedicated Service in Support of Desert Shield and Desert Storm” by the Department of the Army and was a Southern District USAAA Outstanding Auditor. He was presented with the “The Medal of Civilian Service in Vietnam and recognized for Outstanding Audit Services Rendered in the Vietnam Area for the many days spent in Military Regions I and II”.
He was a member of Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church, an avid Auburn football fan, a lover of barbecue, especially Bob Gibson’s, and devoted to his family. He was a beloved husband, brother (in-law) and uncle and he left his mark on everyone he knew. His wit and candor and his fierce loyalty gained him great respect and love among his friends and family.
He was a true patriot and philanthropist always striving to do what he could for his town and those less fortunate. He will be missed here on earth by everyone who knew and loved him but we are elated and joyous that he is with his Lord and all who have gone before him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of Hartselle, Alabama, Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church of Decatur, Alabama or the COPD Foundation at www.
copdfoundation.org/Take-Action/Donate/Donate-Now. aspx. The COPD foundation strives to “Make a difference in the lives of those who struggle for every breath”.
Your contribution will allow the COPD Foundation to provide free services and materials to 30 million Americans affected by the disease. The visitation and memorial service will be held at Peck Funeral Home in Hartselle on Saturday, July 28, 2018. The visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. in the chapel at Peck Funeral Home.
A burial service will follow at Hartselle City Cemetery.
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