William R. Shipp Jr., 87, of Llano died June 6, 2016

William “Bill” R. Shipp Jr. passed away peacefully in his beloved town of Llano on June 6, 2016. He was 87.

Bill was born Dec. 6, 1928, in Hamilton, Texas, the only child of Julia Christianson Shipp and William R. Shipp. He grew up in Priddy, Texas, where he excelled in sports, particularly basketball, tennis and baseball. He attended and graduated from Daniel Baker College, which became part of the Howard Payne University system.

While in school, he met Anna Belle Wasserman on a blind date. The two were wed at 20 years of age.

Bill coached and taught social studies for a year at Llano Independent School District. Deciding that a job indoors was not for him, he entered the Texas Department of Public Safey patrol school. After graduating from the DPS academy, he was called to serve in the military. He was stationed in Germany near Stuttgart, where he was an officer in the military police after the German surrender in World War II.

After his stint in the Army, Bill returned home and was stationed in Llano as a DPS officer, a position he held and enjoyed for 35 years. Upon his retirement, Llano declared a “Bill Shipp Day,” and a community-wide banquet was given in his honor. Among the gifts and awards he received were the flag that had flown over the Texas State Capitol the day he retired.

Bill made lifelong friends in Llano. He was a Mason and part of the “Corner Drug Crowd” for decades that met every morning for coffee and spirited conversation. He and the domino-playing group met at many locales, the last being what Bill called “North of Town,” referring to Dan Hoerster’s place in the county. An avid sportsman, Bill and his friends would travel to Colorado each year in the fall to hunt.

Bill’s later life was made rich by his grandsons. He loved to help with and watch their activities. He never missed a single practice, performance or game.

Bill leaves behind his wife, Anna Wasserman Shipp, who he was married to for 67 years; daughter, Karla Van Item and husband Ken; grandsons, Walker and Cameron Van Item; nieces Brenda Durst and Jean Wallace; and nephews William and John Buttery.

Whether on the job, around town or watching a ballgame, almost everyone in Llano County can tell an iconic “Bill Shipp” story.

A graveside service is 1 p.m. June 9 at Llano City Cemetery.

Arrangements by Waldrope-Hatfield-Hawthorne Funeral Home, 307 E. Sandstone in Llano, (325) 247-4300. Email whhfuneral1@verizon.net with condolences.